The Olympics on NBC

[Troy Goodwin]

Let's get right to the point; Not only ESPN can't show any video highlights of The Summer Olympics, but it also applies to CNN. FSN, FNC, and the other 3 major broadcast networks. Apparently, The local news before Prime Time usually bypasses ALL the olympic news & results AFTER the coverage on NBC ends (Usually at 12 Midnight E/11P Cent)-BUT only NBC stations & their affilliates can show these video highlights.

[Nock]

But you can click on yahoo and get up to the minute results?

Nock

[KTU_Fan]

Didn't ESPN have their agreement amended in order to let Madden go to NBC?

[justthenumbers]

Expect The Peacock to show most of the coverage on tape-like it does in the past. NBC's coverage still continue to suck-like it has been. Many sports fan would love to see the games shown LIVE-as it happens. Consider today, 8-8-8 your lucky day. The Flame lighting ceremony starts at 8:08PM Beiijing time; 6:08AM in Chicago, & 7:08AM  out on The East Coast. Viewers here in the states will have to wait tonight to watch this amazing spectacular. What Gives?

Rating$ and ad dollar$.  There are a lot more viewers -- and subsequently, a lot more money to be made -- by showing tape-delayed coverage in Primetime than live coverage at 7a ET/4a PT. 

And, according to the article linked below, this year's opening ceremonies garnered the most viewers for any program since the Super Bowl, and it is the highest-rated opening ceremony telecast for any Olympics that has taken place outside of the U.S.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/olympics/articles/2008/08/09/20080809nbcratings-ON.html

[justthenumbers]

By the way, NBC's Olympic contract goes through 2012, and ABC/ESPN and Fox are also in the running for future Olympics. If ESPN and Fox's coverage of other sports is any indication, I would rather see them on NBC.

Agreed.  With regards to NBA basketball (the one sport I follow closely), I feel like that NBC did a much better job from 1990-91 through 2001-02 than ESPN/ABC has done since.  NBC has a way of adding a dramatic element to their coverage - something I haven't seen with ESPN/ABC. 

PLUS, I noticed that NBC has resurrected the classic "NBA on NBC" theme music for their U.S. men's basketball coverage in these Olympics!  Never thought I'd hear that on TV again...what a very pleasant surprise!

[PTBoardOp94]

I noticed that NBC has resurrected the classic "NBA on NBC" theme music for their U.S. men's basketball coverage in these Olympics!  Never thought I'd hear that on TV again...what a very pleasant surprise!

Indeed, I noticed this too ... and like having a few less plays of Olympic Fanfare (much as I love that bit of orchestration)

[RicoGregg]

Have you noticed all the empty seats at most events? Ticket sales have been less than hoped-for by the Chinese hosts.

Sales have been particularly slow at archery and shooting events. Especially those seats behind the targets.

[justthenumbers]

I noticed that NBC has resurrected the classic "NBA on NBC" theme music for their U.S. men's basketball coverage in these Olympics!  Never thought I'd hear that on TV again...what a very pleasant surprise!

Indeed, I noticed this too ... and like having a few less plays of Olympic Fanfare (much as I love that bit of orchestration)

Because the song is played primarily when heading into a commercial, I kinda wish that these games were NOT "presented with limited commercial interruption".

[Whale]

Because the song is played primarily when heading into a commercial, I kinda wish that these games were NOT "presented with limited commercial interruption".

You're probably the only one who would wish that.      It's refreshing to watch a game without constant stoppage for ads.

[djj]

Let's get right to the point; Not only ESPN can't show any video highlights of The Summer Olympics, but it also applies to CNN. FSN, FNC, and the other 3 major broadcast networks. Apparently, The local news before Prime Time usually bypasses ALL the olympic news & results AFTER the coverage on NBC ends (Usually at 12 Midnight E/11P Cent)-BUT only NBC stations & their affilliates can show these video highlights.

Thus, I pose this question
(assuming you cannot get CBC or other video highlights, internet or otherwise)...

Would someone be happier:
a) watching "tape-delayed" coverage on NBC?
OR
b) listening to "live" coverage on network radio, if it were available?

P.S. - I wish I could remember that TBS announcer's name who said on a 1990 Goodwill Games
promo, "Coming up, LIVE - on TAPE...!" 
--jay