Tang Tang, Ph.D., professor in the College of Communication and Information at Kent State University, recently shared her expertise with the New York Times in the article "Beijing Olympic Ratings Were the Worst of Any Winter Games."
Over the years, Tang has made her mark internationally, researching the areas of social media strategies, modern technologies and sports — ranging from Esports to the Olympics. Related to the Olympics, she has researched the effects online activity has on viewership since 2008. She serves as an academic referee for the International Olympic Committee and has given keynote speeches at international conventions sharing her findings. Tang teaches in the School of Media and Journalism and the School of Emerging Media and Technology.
“My sports communication research has focused on studying audience multi-platform experience during mega-sporting events, like the Olympics,” Tang said. “Most big sporting events have the potential to shape people’s public understanding of other cultures, social values, identities, and can impact our kind of society.”
In the Feb. 21, 2022 New York Times article, Tang commented that the Olympics brand is struggling — that many do not feel that emotional connection any more.
Read the New York Times articleRead more about Professor Tang