Extreme Sound and Pressure Wave Created by Krakatoa’s Explosion

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Focused on raising a family with his wife, David Preschlack functions as the president of NBC Sports Group and content strategy activities. A prolific reader, David Preschlack particularly enjoys exploring topics of history and has traveled extensively throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

An article published in Nautilus brought focus to a unique event with profound repercussions that occurred in 1883 in what is now Indonesia. Situated between Sumatra and Java, the island of Krakatoa witnessed an extreme volcanic eruption that partially destroyed the island.

The sound that accompanied that eruption represented the loudest emitted, up to the present, and was audible as “guns firing” 1,300 miles distant in the Nicobar and Andaman Islands. It was also heard as “artillery reports” in Western Australia and New Guinea 2,000 miles away and as the “distant roar of heavy guns” 3,000 miles away on Rodrigues in the vicinity of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It total, the sound was audible to the naked ear over a geographic expanse representing one-third of the globe.

The impact of the sound was extreme for those closer to the event, with the British vessel Norham Castle traveling only 40 miles away when Krakatoa exploded. In his log, the ship’s captain recorded that the eardrums of over half the crew had been shattered, and his “last thoughts” were that “the Day of Judgement has come.”

Interestingly, the blast of high pressure air associated with Krakatoa’s eruption traveled much farther than was audible, with Calcutta barometers registering a spike in atmospheric pressure six hours and 47 minutes after the event and similar impulses reaching weather stations around the globe, from St. Petersburg to Toronto. These pressure waves continued like clockwork for a full five days after the eruption in a never before witnessed phenomenon called “the great air-wave.”

United Way Helps Close the Transportation Gap

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An accomplished television executive, David Preschlack is the president of NBC Sports Regional Networks and NBC Sports Group Platform and Content Strategy. Outside of his professional life David Preschlack, alongside his wife Alex, has a history of giving back through longtime involvement with the United Way. Mr. Preschlack now serves as a member of the organization’s worldwide board of trustees.

Nearly half of the American population can’t access reliable public transportation, but United Way is working with ride-sharing company Lyft and General Motors to help change that. All three are partnering in the “Ride United” initiative that will help these individuals overcome transportation barriers through the power of the 211 network, a public works telephone number that serves as a launching point for those in need of community services.

Through the Ride United program, eligible clients who don’t have access to any other transportation will be able to call 211 and schedule free rides through Lyft. The United Way and its partners are also working hand in hand with community stakeholders to help improve overall access to transportation for these individuals. To learn more about Ride United, visit unitedway.org/ride-united.

Dispute Over Proposed Road in Aleutian Islands’ Wildlife Refuge

Fox wandering around

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David Preschlack is an established media executive who works with the NBC Sports Group as content strategy leader. Passionate about fishing and spending time with his wife, David Preschlack enjoys the outdoors and formerly served on the board of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. The nonprofit has an aim of protecting the National Wildlife Refuge system, which plays a vital role in preserving ecosystems and threatened animal and plant species. 

The Izembek National Wildlife Refuge was recently in the news when nine environmental groups, including The Wilderness Society, filed a lawsuit against a proposal to build a 12-mile road through the Aleutian Islands refuge. The road would potentially connect Cold Bay, which has an all-weather airport, and King Cove.

From the perspective of environmental groups, the refuge represents a critical migratory habitat for birds from around the world. Building a road through the heart of the refuge would disturb avian and other terrestrial life, and be in violation of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. From the perspective of those in favor of the road, it would provide a critical transportation link to the airport in cases of medical emergency.

NCTA Vanguard Award for Young Leadership Recognizes Innovation

Residing in Connecticut with his wife and children, television executive David Preschlack joined NBC Sports Group in January 2016 as president of NBC Sports Regional Networks and NBC Sports Group Platform and Content Strategy. David Preschlack has appeared three times on the Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 list, and was the recipient of the 2013 NCTA Vanguard Award for Young Leadership. 

The Internet & Television Association (NCTA) is the leading trade association for the United States broadband and pay television industries. Created to honor cable pioneer Jerry Greene, who served as vice president and board member of TelePrompter Corporation before he was 30, the organization’s Young Leadership Award recognizes the energy and accomplishments of young professionals in the field of cable and telecommunications. The Young Leadership Award is presented annually to an individual who has displayed innovation and outstanding leadership, as well as potential for continued achievement. Nominees must be under 40 years of age and be active members of the NCTA.

Impact of Wish-Giving from Make-A-Wish Foundation

Since 2016, accomplished executive David Preschlack has served as president of National Broadcasting Company (NBC) Sports Regional Networks and NBC Sports Group Platform and Content Strategy. David Preschlack lives in Connecticut with his wife Alexandra and is an active member of his community, serving as a member of the board for organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut. 

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has been granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Relying on the support of tens of thousands of donors and volunteers, the organization grants a wish on average every 38 minutes. In 2012 alone, the foundation granted nearly 14,000 wishes, almost 75 percent of which involved travel. 

Medical professionals, volunteers, and parents agree that the benefits of wishes have lasting effects. They not only motivate children to cooperate with medical protocols, but sometimes achieve a measurable positive impact on physical health. In a 2011 survey, 96 percent of parents claimed that the experience made their families stronger, and 99 percent of parents reported that the experience raised their children's level of happiness.

NBA TV Ratings Continue Return to Form

David Preschlack has spent three years with NBC Sports Group in Stamford, Connecticut, as president of regional sports networks and platform and content strategy. David Preschlack met his wife, Alex, during his previous appointment as an executive with Disney and ESPN Networks Group. In his current position, he engages with representatives from team partners across Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Hockey League (NHL), and the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Early in the 2018-2019 NBA season, pundits observed an apparent downward trend in television viewership. Among other notable statistics, year-over-year declines on TNT exceeded 25 percent for some telecasts. A popular hypothesis involved megastar LeBron James’ move from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Los Angeles Lakers, with West Coast games enduring a smaller ratings drop. However, the league quickly saw television viewership return to normal levels.

More recently, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV telecasts have drawn audiences comparable to the 2017-2018 season, which represented a ratings spike for the league. James’ return to Cleveland as a Laker attracted an audience of 3.8 million, the most-watched regular season game on ESPN in four years. The game almost single-handedly offset the network’s ratings decline, putting into perspective how minor the initial struggles were.

In 2018, the NBA enjoyed its most successful Christmas Day lineup since 2011. An audience of 10.2 million watched the Lakers upset the Golden State Warriors, the fifth-largest audience for a Christmas game in league history. The five games on the holiday averaged 5.8 million viewers, a 14 percent increase over 2017.