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Reaction: NBC's Olympic coverage

Tape-delay coverage takes excitement away from Games

U.S. Olympic fans could find results on the Internet long before NBC aired events in prime time. AP

As the Games of the 27th Olympiad come to a close, so, too, does NBC's TV broadcast coverage of them. Instead of airing the Games live, late at night, NBC chose to tape-delay the games and showed them during prime time in North America. This decision appears to have greatly affected NBC's TV ratings of the games. CNN/Sports Illustrated anchor Fred Hickman called a timeout and told NBC it should have aired the Games live. We asked CNNSI.com users to give us their thoughts on Fred's opinion, and almost everyone agreed with him. Here's a sample of the responses:

I must say I agree tremendously with Fred. NBC's tape coverage is really bad for you American viewers. You have to wait a whole day to see how so and so won this and that. Plus Bob Costas is the worst commentator of all time. Do some research! Basketball was NOT invented in America. James A. Naismith, a Canadian, invented it in Southern Ontario.
Dr. Shanx, Toronto

I agree with Fred. Tape delay takes the suspense out of the competition. In Switzerland, they showed it live after midnight and replayed in the evening. I lost many a night's sleep, but would not have it any other way.
Jeff Steele, Zug, Switzerland

Good call, Fred! As an outsider looking in, I can not believe the American public did not have a chance to see, live, the greatest Olympic Games of all time. It is a fact of life for all Aussies to have to stay up to the wee, small hours to watch live world-class sports. Surely Americans are as passionate about their sports as Aussies are. I am sad your people missed a great spectacle.
Glen Simpson, Perth, Western Australia

The decision to tape delay the Olympics was wacky. Over 50 percent of our country has access to the Internet, so watching the Olympics proved fruitless. The Internet gave you all the results when you wanted to know them. NBC said people are going to watch, no matter what we do, and took advantage of the viewing public. And they wonder their ratings are low.
P. Halliburton, San Antonio, Texas

I've watched both the NBC and CBC broadcasts, and NBC's broadcast just stinks. This year's Olympics might be one of the best because of the Aussie people. NBC just didn't show how fun this year's Olympic was. I hope NBC doesn't tell us whose going to win the MLB World Series and then show us the playoffs.
Ron, Toronto

Fred, I couldn't agree more. It's bad enough the games are delayed, but still, they only show half of a gold-medal beach volleyball match that the U.S. wins! Hello? You already know we win, as the underdogs, and you still only show half the match? NBC really censored the games.
Henry Canfield, Sanford, Fla.

Fred is right! I have been in the military for 16 years, and I've had to "suck it up" many nights and stay up to see sporting events! It is not as good if it is not live! My fellow soldiers, who have endured many sleepless nights, tend to agree! We love the to see sports live! We love being kept up to date by CNN, and we love America!
SFC John Baker, Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo

I think it was a stupid decision to tape-delay the coverage of the Olympics. I think it should be the viewers' choice to watch it when it's live and not a TV station's choice. I was very disappointed with the telecast. I knew who won before it was shown in the U.S., which was not exciting. NBC needs to review this decision if they are the ones to show the 2004 Olympics.
Ms. Winters, Chicago

It is a rare individual that will stay up until 4 a.m. to watch sports. NBC is a business; they make decisions based on the effect those decisions have on their revenue. If they think that tape delaying those broadcasts will attract more viewers, than it's their choice to make.
Matt Greene, Austin, Texas

I agree with Fred. I just watched the U.S. basketball "dream" team defeat France for the gold medal, live on CBC. The game started no later than a Monday Night Football game!
Rick Scaife, Langley, B.C.

NBC's "slice and dice," canned Olympic coverage was a disgrace. Viewers wanting to watch gymnastics or track & field were forced to endure clip from countless other sports, endless athlete sob stories and dozens of commercials. After a few nights of this torture, I turned the TV off and logged on to cnnsi.com.
Rhonda Petersen, Havre, Mont.

I've never felt less excited about the Olympics in the 32 years of viewing them. These athletes compete and train hard for years hoping to share in the spotlight here, to show what they can do. We should be able to watch them as they perform; that's part of the excitement and drama. Let's see it live!
Kenneth Hawley, New Hartford, Conn.

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