The First Asian Olympics.

The XVIII Olympiad was held in Tokyo in October 1964; the winter games were in Innsbruck, Austria, in January and February 1964. It was the first Olympics held in Asia and marked the recovery of Japan from defeat in World War II. The Japanese were eager to stage a showcase for their culture, and toward that end they spent $2.7 billion to prepare. The preparations were largely lost on American audiences, though, due to the indifference of NBC, which had the broadcast rights. There was anticipation of live satellite coverage and cooperative efforts between Americans and Europeans to share video, but NBC balked at the expense and the practical difficulties of coping with a fourteen-hour time difference. They attempted one live transmission, of the opening ceremonies, and delayed telecast until after The Tonight Show in deference to Johnny Carson and his audience...