NBC Criticized for Delayed Olympic Coverage

Published: 28th Jul 12 10:27 pm
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NBC Criticized for Delayed Olympic Coverage
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY

In an age where news spreads like wildfire on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, you would think NBC would make the extra effort to broadcast popular Olympic events live. It is, in fact, 2012.

However, that is not the case. The problem is that with so many journalists and bloggers covering the events live from London via Twitter and other sites, news breaks on the results, before anyone in the United States is able to watch it on television. Even the much-anticipated opening ceremonies were broadcast hours after they occurred, so NBC could air it during “prime time TV.”

The reaction from fans and viewers on Twitter is priceless, with people calling it a huge “#NBCFail.”

Modern Family writer Danny Zuker joked about the delayed broadcast time:

NBC announces it will air Super Bowl 49 during Super Bowl 50.
July 28, 2012 8:56 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@DannyZuker
Danny Zuker

Another sarcastic fan highlighting NBC’s failure to keep up with the times:

In this age of social media, @nytimes posts tomorrow’s stories today but @NBC broadcasts today’s Olympic events tomorrow! #NBCfail
July 28, 2012 8:56 pm via Tweetbot for iOSReplyRetweetFavorite
@matteastwood
Matt Eastwood, IDC

Comparing NBC’s coverage of the Olympics to today’s airline industry probably isn’t a good thing:

NBC time-delay coverage is like the airlines: its interest is in giving you the least satisfactory service you will still come back for.
July 28, 2012 8:51 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite
@poniewozik
James Poniewozik

And the jokes keep on coming:

NBC: Will Pearl Harbor be attacked? Find out tonight in primetime! #nbcfail
July 28, 2012 8:00 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@Will_Bunch
Will Bunch

A valid point from a USA Today writer:

Funny how #NBC broadcast live for the royal wedding across timezones, but tape delays #Olympics. And we knew how that was going to end!
July 28, 2012 7:24 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite
@RebeccaHeslin
Rebecca Heslin

These are just some of the (milder) examples of the outrage going on via Twitter and other blogs and websites. NBC might get the last laugh, however, as the opening ceremonies were said to be the most watched opening ceremonies of an Olympic Games ever. The pervious mark was 39.8 million viewers for Atlanta in 1996, with this year’s numbers coming in at around 40.7 million viewers.

What are your thoughts on NBC’s decision to air major Olympic sporting events on a tape delay? Let us know in the comments below.

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