Figure skating moves to NBC.

After 42 years on ESPN/ABC, the figure skating national championships and Skate America will move to NBC “[i]n a revenue-sharing arrangement that mirrors [NBC’s] agreement with the NHL“.

Figure skating, barely promoted on ESPN or ABC and typically airing in taped spots sporadically or as counterprogramming to the NCAA Tournament or the Super Bowl, now has a consistent home with a network that is slowly but surely rebuilding its sports division.

“NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol, who after the 2006 Winter Olympics was skeptical that figure skating could succeed on television apart from the Olympics, said he agreed to the deal in large part because the federation agreed to revamp its competition schedule.

All four championship finals ? men’s and ladies’ singles, pairs and dance ? next January in St. Paul, Minn., will air on the weekend. All will be shown live, including prime-time Saturday coverage for the ladies’ free skate.“

As far as talent for figure skating broadcasts goes, NBC has not made any concrete decisions as of yet.

“NBC currently uses Scott Hamilton as its lead commentator for figure skating. Ebersol would not say whether he’ll be joined in the booth or be replaced by 77-year-old Dick Button, the longtime voice of the sport on ABC.

There also have been reports that Michelle Kwan has been approached by NBC.“

As far as ratings for figure skating have fallen, events still consistently pose better numbers than Stanley Cup Playoff games.