Odd Coverage, but NBC Did Not Fail

Throughout the coverage of the 2012 London Games, folks on Twitter and G+ have been whining about the NBC coverage.  Complaints ranged from the delay of many events - there is a time difference between the US and Canada, not focusing on US athletes - really, I was sick of Gabby Douglas, and not enough coverage - pick one.

In my tv career I have been luck enough to work at two Olympics - one winter and one summer - both in the US.  Nevertheless covering these events is a logistical nightmare made more difficult by the International Olympic Committee and the local organizing committee.

For each games the IOC selects a broadcasting entity from the originating country to provide coverage for all events and for all other broadcasting entities.  Before cable and satellite networks, this was a little easier. NBC's coverage for the last several games expanded from one or two networks to six or seven for US coverage.  The host broadcasters is primarily responsible for "pool" coverage of all events and "local" coverage for its own country.

In the case of the London Games the BBC was the host broadcaster and provided the "pool" coverage.  There are some events that are almost all pool coverage.  The opening and closing ceremonies are examples.  With the exception of anchor shots and the cameras walking with Team USA, NBC's coverage was the pool coverage including all sound and video.

At individual events, "pool" coverage is supplemented by individual country broadcast entities. This is where coverage can quickly get lousy.  NBC demonstrated this during the Women's Gymnastics All Around Finals.  It seemed that there were only two teams competing.  There was little coverage of any other team.  Sure the US had a good team.  Gabby Douglas won, but did she.  One of the NBC commentators said it looked like she stepped out of bounds during the floor exercise.  NBC showed one replay.  She did, but no judge caught it and no other coach complained.  Nevertheless the coverage on that event was bad, very bad.

Swimming was another example, but again the US had a good team.

The one NBC network that seemed to excel on its coverage was the NBC Sports Network - formerly known as Versus - had some of its largest audiences ever as it had coverage at different hours, more live coverage, and exclusively covered Team USA.

I am certain if you would have seen Olympic coverage in another country you would have had a totally different experience.  You may have seen more pool coverage.  You may have seen more locally oriented coverage. It depends.

One other consideration the IOC and the local organization committee put restrictions on the release of information and audio/video of events.  There are restrictions on interviews with athletes.  All of this contributes to the coverage.

If you watched the Fox News website you often saw headlines like "Team USA going for Gold in Swimming" or Women's Basketball Going for Gold".  Sometimes these were displayed for hours after the end of an event because of IOC restrictions.

Didn't like the NBC coverage?  Fine.  That's your opinion.

The 2016 Games in Rio will be a little different.  Rio is only one hour later than New York.  Perhaps, more live coverage.  The 2016 games will in August, but August is winter in Brazil.