The bottom line is that, no matter the time zone, tape delay helps the network better package the events for the viewing audience. They can edit out delays, boring waiting around and contestants that no one has ever heard of. Plus, they can create a narrative ahead of time around the outcome. The result is a product that is more interesting to the average viewer -- period. As I said several pages ago, the formula was perfected by Roone Arledge at ABC (remember Wide World of Sports? Sometimes the events happened weeks before they aired!!!!), and it isn't going to change. Deal with it.