Why are Olympic events not being broadcast live?

grannygrandam said on February 20, 2010 at 10:36 PM

On the evening news show you play music so we will know not to look at the medal info. Then the music stops and you show the medal totals for all countries. Sooooo......if I have been watching the Olympics I would know what the totals were yesterday and thus you are telling me if we won any medals today, which I don't want to know! Can you fix this??? Would you fix this please? Thanks in advance.

luna1sierra said on February 19, 2010 at 12:20 AM

the executives have blown it again...but, I am not suprised. look at how well we are not served by television....but then, our son is autistic and our money goes to unimportant things like meds...we don't even have a new fangled t.v. to miss the olympics on! ( forget cable, too pricey for our budget )

hedleyhead810501 said on February 18, 2010 at 10:32 AM

I HATE the NBC coverage. Post-Olympics, they've certainly lost my viewership. That said, they are in fact streaming live events at the NBC Olympics site if you have a partner cable account (I have Comcast and, after downloading their video plug-in, MS Silverlight, I'm able to watch curling real-time right now that is not being shown in the US). Better than a boot in the behind, I suppose, but it should be available to everyone. Aside from lack of coverage, the coverage itself is bad. So disappointed this year.

wmdkitty said on February 17, 2010 at 3:11 PM

Why are the Olympics even being broadcast on NBC? That's what ESPN is for!

lin1945 said on February 17, 2010 at 11:32 AM

I would think that KING5 would speak up and explain delaying the broadcast is unfair and really stupid on the part of NBC. I can drive there in two hours, people call us who have just attended an event, it hits the internet almost immediately and yet we are left out in the cold to view it hours later when results are not a surprise. NBC is going downhill fast and I am not sure anyone really wants to be affiliated with them. Jeff Zucker and Dick Ebersol need to be replaced. Now.

vashon_cat said on February 17, 2010 at 9:38 AM

Let the affiliates decide when viewers want to watch. NBC repeats its airing of the Olympics anyway. The reairing would start at about 8:30pm - just about the time "they" have told us that we robot clones prefer to watch. Show us in real time the events from 5pm to 9pm PST that ARE live. Fill in the rest of the night with events occurring from 9am-5pm, as well as airing those events on the "sister" channels during the day, LIVE. Is that so difficult? I've just stopped watching. Why watch when you know what will happen? I've also stopped watching the Today show because I can't stand hearing Matt say "You'll see it LIVE tonight." No, I won't because I live in an area inconvenient to NBC for live broadcasts. I hate being reminded I am not an important viewer to them. It's not too late for NBC to change the West Coast schedule but I know it's too much to hope for. In the age of the internet and dvr's, NBC is a lumbering east-coast biased dinosaur.

jayneadams said on February 17, 2010 at 1:39 AM

If you want to complain directly to an NBC corporate employee, contact this guy, he's named is many reporters' articles (Seattle Times and Sacramento Bee as examples) justifying the tape delays with "studies" that most people want to watch during prime time: Name: Christopher Paul (chris) Mccloskey Organization: NBC Universal Email: Christopher.Mccloskey@nbcuni.com Phone: 212-664-5598 URL: http://www.nbcumv.com source link: http://www.sportsfeatures.com/presspoint/pressrelease/50966/stanley-cup-final-rematch-this-sunday-on-nbc-sports-when-defending-champion-penguins-host-red-wings

ddw3579 said on February 16, 2010 at 11:16 PM

NBC claims you can watch live streaming content. I have tried to use my Charter login to get on the NBC site...guess what...doesnt work. I can get on my cable site with no issues but cant get on the NBC site login. I already sent a long letter to NBC..thanks K5 for the contact info!

wellcraft19 said on February 16, 2010 at 9:44 PM

Friends in Sweden - half-a-world-away - have decidedly better coverage of the Winter Games than what we have here in Seattle - less than two hours away. NBC is trying to milk the cow, by providing ONLY "prime-time" coverage with taped material. It fails miserably since we are not interested in "old" news, and instead turn to Netflix and everything "non Olympic". Partially due to "old news", but mainly due to Bob Costas and his neverending irrelevant coverage of some athlete's cancer ridden grandmother in a shack somewhere - while real - and LIVE - competion is taking place on the monitors behind him. The US audience are totally missing out on a wonderful event where sportsmen/women from all over the world and do amazing things. Todays media coverage has far bypassed the old "exclusive coverage" model and it is time that the Games realize that and let the true Olympic message be spread around the world. And that is not a message of "richest wins". On the contrary!

giothefirst said on February 16, 2010 at 8:40 PM

NBC knows best I'm sure, I watched the Olympics all day and when I got in the car to go to work I heard all the news and gee wiz we won a gold metal and ... on and on. Who are these utter Pillocks who run this company (look it up, british) we don't ALL have prime time in our schedule and even so it's old news you dumb basta....s. HELLO this is the information age! The prime timers who don't have radio can catch up or genuinely be surprised while the real world waits on tape delay. I wish there was a word for this utter Elizabethan garbage you call coverage. Gio the frustrated P.S. I really liked CBUT they were the best. Sincerely

karenhanson said on February 16, 2010 at 7:23 PM

I guess NBC things people like to watch OLD NEWS...

collegeguy said on February 16, 2010 at 5:14 PM

Just to add, it is not just CTV that is blocking IP addresses, it is also European stations... NBC must have contacted the other broadcasters to have them block access. NBC is nothing but a bunch of Olympic Nazi's bent on the destruction of Olympic coverage within the US.

soy928 said on February 16, 2010 at 3:59 PM

Thanks CTV...great coverage... NBC's coverage is pathetic...no real time, mundane fireside chats...go Canada!

berryspecial said on February 16, 2010 at 3:45 PM

Someone needs to Get JESSE - he's the only one who seems to be able to get anything done on King5! This Olympic coverage is a joke...3 hour delay on the westcoast and you King5 went along with it...shame on you! At least have the courtesy ON AIR to acknowledge the we here in Washington are very upset by this treatment!

lunar said on February 16, 2010 at 2:48 PM

It has ZERO to do with being able to " ...allow the most people to enjoy the Games." And everything to do with allowing the most people "enjoy" their ads.

really_now said on February 16, 2010 at 2:43 PM

To echo Whistlerfan and put an addendum on dearfriends' comment... Isn't it just stellar that someone (likely NBC in collusion with CTV - anyone care to correct or clarify) appears to be blocking WA or US-based IP address access to CTV's streaming video. It speaks volumes about the business practices of both organizations. Not only does NBC's crappy prime-time coverage of "heartwarming stories" preclude the watching of the actual sporting event because apparently they'll get more ad dollars that way... but that they're also blocking streaming from events that NBC ISN'T EVEN BROADCASTING!!!!! Sadly, I'll be watching 20-year-old Seinfeld re-runs again tonight because of the irritation created by this so-called "coverage" of the Olympics. It's just about prime-time "entertainment," profiling the top 3 competitors, and ad revenues. So how about allowing us to watch foreign streams of the overall competition and the "unpopular" sports that you don't feel worthy of broadcasting, NBC?

slipthemickey said on February 16, 2010 at 2:36 PM

I became so frustrated with NBC's fluff human interest stories and tape delays, I wrote a message to Get Jesse. He rights wrongs, no? He addresses grave injustices. Jesse can help! Alas, I received a "It's not King 5, it's NBC" response.

rmo70 said on February 16, 2010 at 1:57 PM

If you have comcast, they are actually telecasting the live games as best they can. Apparently they don't discriminate against the West Coast Like one of the Network. I get calls from friends on the East Coast telling me what has happened in the games while it's still light out, but when I look out my window, it's pitch black. Go figure that. It must remain lighter longer in the North. I'll remember these "Broadcasters" in the future in whatever way I wish! Most of the Networks don't broadcast the news anyway, but pander to special interests and special politics anyway. One major newscast anchor actually has a commercial where he tells us that they have the responsibility to explain " today's complex issues" to their viewing audience. How bout that?

joshsmom said on February 16, 2010 at 12:55 PM

The olympics are on so late that I keep falling asleep during the broadcast.

dasindog said on February 16, 2010 at 12:41 PM

NBC - Nothin' But Cash....

momster5 said on February 16, 2010 at 12:33 PM

Not only is the coverage terrible but when you open your MSN page they tell you who the winners are before they have shown the coverage. We finally get an Olympics in our time zone and every other time zone sees the coverage before we do. Way to go NBC

weekilter said on February 16, 2010 at 12:26 PM

This doesn't make any sense. King5 gets a feed from NBC. They can air programs whenever they like.

lin1945 said on February 16, 2010 at 12:15 PM

It is disappointing to get the highlights splashed all over the television hours before we get to see the performance. Friends call to ask if we just saw something and we know it is three hours away. Our decision in regard to the three hour delay is to take the list of advertisers online and email or write all of them that our family, as well as a number of other friends and extended family, have elected to turn on another station and skip the Olympics this time around and read little blurbs in the newspaper or see them at the scheduled news times. It is a big disappointment to us and here is another NBC blunder! Thought they had learned something after the Leno - Conan mess but guess Zucker is still batting zero. Maybe he put his head together with Dick Ebersol and they made this ridiculous decision. Time to push them out the door!

snooki said on February 16, 2010 at 10:40 AM

Because KING5, once a great station when the Bullitt's ran it, is nothing more than a sorry lap-dog to NBCU(Xfinity soon). They are a total F-ing joke.

whistlerfan said on February 16, 2010 at 9:57 AM

I join the countless masses who are disgusted with NBC on delaying Olympic coverage for PST time zone. I can't even log onto CTV to watch live streams. Apparently Washington IP addresses have been blocked from doing so. I'm sure there's a way around it, but c'mon! Heck, I'd even be happy paying for live PPV events, but no... complete stranglehold on us west coasters. So, my only choice is to watch "primetime live" coverage or turn my tv off. Thanks goes to NBC and King5 for alienating us viewers who were really looking forward to this for years. A party in our own backyard, but we're not invited, sad...

blairj said on February 16, 2010 at 9:35 AM

Make me want to put an old "Big Ugly Dish" in my backyard and bypass the American networks entirely.

dearfriends said on February 16, 2010 at 8:55 AM

I feel sorry for you all. We got to watch the Olympic ceremony live and we continue to watch live Olympics on CTV, TSN and SportsNet. If you go to CTV website (http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/), there is a link at the top for LIVE coverage of the Olympics on the above three stations. Please enjoy and wish the best to all the athletes. May the best win!!!

puyallup said on February 16, 2010 at 6:29 AM

In an age of 24 hour a day sports shows, and internet news, the age of tape delays belongs to the old print age. In an age of internet, iphones, computers, and satellites, delayed broadcasts date back to the days of watching Wide World of Sports in the 60's which taped sports for Saturday viewing.

djseattle said on February 15, 2010 at 11:46 PM

All weekend I had to go elsewhere for Olympic coverage because NBC / King 5 is broadcasting self congratulatory infomercials. This is really bad ratings based Olympic coverage.

lorig said on February 15, 2010 at 11:45 PM

Please consider visiting this Facebook page to add your comments there. http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/NBC-Dropping-the-Torch/305799452887?v=wall&ref=nf

collegeguy said on February 15, 2010 at 11:24 PM

I have to agree with the majority. It is idiotic to delay games for 3 hours when we are in the same time zone. Why should we watch when we already know the outcome and can then go watch it whenever we want to on the internet or on our DVRs? NBC's decision is majorly flawed because it fails to take into account for technology that has been out for 2 decades now. The old boys network needs some new minds because theirs are rotten.

whatolympics said on February 15, 2010 at 9:45 PM

Will King 5 listen? Will NBC listen? Probably not. This is one of the most frustrating and just plain stupid decisions that any broadcasting system could make. I agree that Greed is involved but it is more than greed in that a significant amount of time is dedicated to talking about nonrelated events (polar bears!!!) and the fact that some individual is actually competing after they were injured?? No kidding athletes do get injured and still compete. Costas is a joke (nice hair piece though) as he sits smugly on the coach yukking it up with wanabees. King 5 how about doing a piece on the evening news about the impact this is making on your viewing audience? I'll bet you have not had as many write ins on other events. Too controversial or do you guys just walk the party line? I will boycott any of the sponsors of the olympics and I will inform them why. Should not be too difficult to remember who they are since they are on so frequent. To those who think all is OK...whatever.

oracleworm said on February 15, 2010 at 9:19 PM

Just another year of bad Olympic coverage by NBC.

janepowers348061 said on February 15, 2010 at 7:13 PM

I join the countless winter olympics fans disappointed at the most lame television coverage. My nephew in England is telling me the results and having the best time watching them. I get to see them 6 hours later.... If NBC paid so much for the rights for the broadcast, wouldn't it make sense to show them live, then rebroadcast at primetime? Furthermore, I am not sure "coverage" means showing 6 performers and then having yet another annoying interview on the couch in front of that stupid fireplace. We were told that Universal TV would have coverage, but it is more of those stories. Which is too bad, since universal is pretty good about their coverage of winter sports. Last night it played a downhill from Val d'Isere. When was that filmed? Would they ever show a delayed broadcast of UNC basketball? no, that would upset the bookies. I don't buy that King TV-is blameless in all of this. Nice try, though. Just watch, NBC is going to all of a sudden love Bode Miller.... Puhleese.

funchefchick said on February 15, 2010 at 6:26 PM

It's ridiculous, and everyone on the west coast should be outraged. Do they think none of us here in PST care about live sports? How come the superbowl is LIVE here not delayed? How come I can watch LIVE at this moment - on one of the NBC networks, no less - the WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW but I cannot get live Olympics coverage??? Here is a Facebook group to join if you feel like protesting: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=302526079393

lookitsme said on February 15, 2010 at 6:20 PM

I'm willing to give NBC a few more days to shape up and start actually broadcasting the sporting events. After that, it'll be time to start emailing the advertisers to express our opinion regarding the coverage - and how that reflects directly on the advertisers...

ddw3579 said on February 15, 2010 at 6:01 PM

Most irritating is that the results are broadcast on the radio/websites when I do not want to know them. Example: I was watching the snowboard qualifying today and the finals were going to start later tonight. I get in my car to run across to the street to the store and the results of the snowboard cross are reported on the leading national sports news station. grrrrrrrrrrrrr

seattlelou said on February 15, 2010 at 5:09 PM

Thanks for the NBC Sports contact link, King5. I just sent them a piece of my mind and encourage others to do the same!

tamster said on February 15, 2010 at 4:54 PM

The failure of NBC to show the Olympics live is totally disgusting, made only worse by the decision to delay its own coverage by 3 hours here in Seattle. This is disgraceful!!! We live just a few hours away from Vancuver, yet can't see any of the coverage until 3 hours after the East Coast sees it. NBC would never dream of delaying coverage for a football or basketball game - who's the genious who thought we would rather wait until midnight to see the Olympics? As for King5, it seems that they could have lobbied hard for the right to show coverage at least at the same time that the East Coast gets to watch. They are not innocent! If NBC wants people to watch their network, then I suggest that they listen to their viewers, and actually show them what they want when they want, instead of holding them hostage. This coverage is very disappointing, leaving this viewer very angry. Disgraceful!

lindengroves said on February 15, 2010 at 4:46 PM

I know the answer to the question! Greed.

clear2copy said on February 15, 2010 at 3:56 PM

Kill your TV

recycled said on February 15, 2010 at 3:48 PM

NBC knows how to take a great sporting event and ruin it. They must think all of us on the west coast still read newspapers to tell us what happens back east. I don't know if I'm watching a sporting event or an informercial. What a joke.

baldeagle said on February 15, 2010 at 3:13 PM

You can go to Canada watch them live, drive home and see them again on the 3 hour DELAY! :( Boycot NBC!!!!!!

lorig said on February 15, 2010 at 2:07 PM

Their decision has NOTHING to do with "providing coverage of the most popular events in time periods that allow the most people to enjoy the Games" but EVERYTHING to do with money. If they wanted to to 'allow the most people to enjoy the games' they would have provided multiple outlets for viewing. I respect the opinions of those who appreciate being able to see events in the evening after work, but many, many people want an alternative. I am sorry to say that I hope NBC loses more money with the 2010 Olympics than they can calculate. I hope their greedy decision destroys the executives responsible for this debacle! I have NEVER EVER protested anything on the internet before. I can't believe how emotional this has made me. I guess so many people have such great memories of watching the Olympics when we were younger and we love the IDEAL of the Olympics. NBC's blatant greed and callous disregard have really spoiled the experience for so many. I hope the IOC is paying attention!

elbegewa said on February 15, 2010 at 2:07 PM

The following is an email I just sent to NBC: "Your olympic coverage is very bad: 2 items: 1. No wonder the old line networks like NBC are in economic trouble ... you are not "plugged-in" to the current world. To rebroadcast it in prime time makes sense for much of the (dying) TV broadcast industry, but you should also stream it live on the net. 2. Your broadcast is so fragmented, showing bits and snippets on misc events interspersed by bits and snippets of unrelated events, that it is difficult to watch. The CBC, in prior years, was much better."

chrisizup said on February 15, 2010 at 2:04 PM

To krazkat, who enjoys the delay, get a dvr or vcr and tape it, some people work WHEN they're being shown delayed and that is worse. Anyone that wants to watch it delayed can easily do so. To try "not to hear results" before you watch what happened three or four hours ago is preposterous. This is the WORST sports coverage in the world of one of the BIGGEST sporting events in the world. First Conan, now this. NBC, you lost a viewer. King 5 News, I'll stay with you, so long as you don't start acting like the idiots at NBC! Jay Leno and a three hour delay on the Olympics....priceless!!!!

krazkat said on February 15, 2010 at 1:24 PM

I think it is great, this way you don't miss the major events like Figure Skating because it was shown while you are at work. If you don't want to know the results prior to the telecast, don't watch the sports news, etc.,

blankingout said on February 15, 2010 at 1:20 PM

Tell NBC that could at least stream the video live... The Canadians are doing it...