Vancouver Winter Olympics Coverage

[Tubaman-Z]

Checking out www.nbcolympics.com, here is a very brief summary of the coverage by channel:

NBC - most sports to varying degrees, very little hockey until the quarterfinals, no curling
MSNBC - Hockey and curling
CNBC - Hockey and curling
USA-HD - Hockey and curling
UHD - replays of prime time coverage


At least this makes it easier for me to walk through the guide and pick what I want to record - 1 channel (NBC - which I receive in HD OTA).

P.S. I'm not listing Universal Sports as that is not offered by D*.

[dpeters11]

Simple enough. Winter Olympics is smaller than summer, makes scheduling easier.

[Wisegoat]

Checking out www.nbcolympics.com (http://www.nbcolympics.com), here is a very brief summary of the coverage by channel:

NBC - most sports to varying degrees, very little hockey until the quarterfinals, no curling
MSNBC - Hockey and curling
CNBC - Hockey and curling
USA-HD - Hockey and curling
UHD - replays of prime time coverage



So no snowboarding? No luge? No ski jumping? This seems strange.

[hilmar2k]

Apparently if you are a fan of curling, you are all set.

[dpeters11]

So no snowboarding? No luge? No ski jumping? This seems strange.

All on NBC. Like snowboarding various events from Feb 15-18 then 26-27th.

[Tubaman-Z]

So no snowboarding? No luge? No ski jumping? This seems strange.

All covered by NBC:


NBC - most sports to varying degrees, very little hockey until the quarterfinals, no curling

[sum_random_dork]

NBC will have all the major events, people want to see skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. That's what draws the large # of people. You only have to notice all the Shaun White and Lindsey Vonn adds over and over again. I would think a lot of the events will also be on US. All the adds show both NBC and US logos in them. All the adds also say "live" but that I am sure doesn't pertain to those of us on the west coast we're out of luck AGAIN!

[LarryFlowers]

Don't be picking on the Curling... those are some real athletes.. wait till you see them go after each other with those curling brushes.

[jam131]

NBC will have all the major events, people want to see skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. That's what draws the large # of people. You only have to notice all the Shaun White and Lindsey Vonn adds over and over again. I would think a lot of the events will also be on US. All the adds show both NBC and US logos in them. All the adds also say "live" but that I am sure doesn't pertain to those of us on the west coast we're out of luck AGAIN!

I think it will be better this time around because the time zone is pretty much similar to the US not like 18 hours apart. So the west coast will get to see it live as well.

[sdk009]

Don't be picking on the Curling... those are some real athletes.. wait till you see them go after each other with those curling brushes.

Hey, Vernon Davis of the SF 49ers has taken up Curling and will be at the Olympics as a supporter of the US team.

[Lodi25]

When is DirecTV going to get MSNBC in HD??? :mad:

[JoeTheDragon]

Checking out www.nbcolympics.com, here is a very brief summary of the coverage by channel:

P.S. I'm not listing Universal Sports as that is not offered by D*.

Universal Sports HD no one as that yet maybe direct tv will get it?

Will we get a mix channel? Any HD only channels? other then UHD?

[dstorm]

I think it will be better this time around because the time zone is pretty much similar to the US not like 18 hours apart. So the west coast will get to see it live as well.

West Coast will be delayed as usual - Was also the case during Salt Lake Olympics in 2002. Live events will only be Eastern / Central.

Olympic viewing is best on DVR anyway - way too many commercials :)

Just avoid the internet to spoil results.

[dstorm]

Universal Sports HD no one as that yet maybe direct tv will get it?

Will we get a mix channel? Any HD only channels? other then UHD?

We had Universal Sports for the first month or so of the Versus debacle. Very sad to see that channel go away. So don't hold out hope for Universal Sports HD.

DirectTV is not necessarily the sports leader they claim to be. Better than most options, however.

[JoeTheDragon]

We had Universal Sports for the first month or so of the Versus debacle. Very sad to see that channel go away. So don't hold out hope for Universal Sports HD.

DirectTV is not necessarily the sports leader they claim to be. Better than most options, however.

no one has Universal Sports HD and it may be a different thing then Universal Sports OTA sub channel.

[dstorm]

no one has Universal Sports HD and it may be a different thing then Universal Sports OTA sub channel.

Good point - there is also a "Universal HD" channel which is part of the HD Pack- that may have been what the original poster meant.

[sum_random_dork]

Sometime this month Universal Sports will be going HD (http://sportsvideo.org/main/blog/2009/11/17/universal-sports-finds-hd-ready-home/) I am not sure when it will actually show on on the sub channel or if it will be an HD sub channel at all.

[JoeTheDragon]

Sometime this month Universal Sports will be going HD (http://sportsvideo.org/main/blog/2009/11/17/universal-sports-finds-hd-ready-home/) I am not sure when it will actually show on on the sub channel or if it will be an HD sub channel at all.

Just what we need a other **** HD sub channel like live well hd.

[tkrandall]

Can they (NBC) please just provide actual coverage of the actual events, rather than just giving us 10 second summaries of most sports and only honing-in on the 3 or 4 sports (figure skating, ice dancing, half-pipe...) they think important and the endless human interest feature stories ad nauseum?

[dstorm]

Can they (NBC) please just provide actual coverage of the actual events, rather than just giving us 10 second summaries of most sports and only honing-in on the 3 or 4 sports (figure skating, ice dancing, half-pipe...) they think important and the endless human interest feature stories ad nauseum?

Seriously, this line about NBC's coverage is a bit tired and old - I read this all the time, and frankly don't think anybody who says this has even watched a serious amount of the olympics over the last decade.

Your statement was 100% true during the Sydney Olympics. That was a justified criticism. But since then, they have made huge improvements.

The feature stories are generally very short and give you some background on the athlete. You'll now see the top athletes from most countries participate in every event on the NBC networks.

No, they're not going to show 4 hours of Super G runs 1-30. But they'll typically show the Top 10 - and devote 30 min+ of sequential action across the board.

Many sports you can see in their ENTIRETY from start to finish on CNBC or MSNBC - Yep, 3 hours of curling if you would like. During the summer games the on-line feeds were phenomenal. You could watch all 6 hours of the road race cycling if you would like.

Granted, you will see much more figure skating, snowboarding and ice dancing (ugh, can't stand this - is it really a sport!) during prime time, but you'll also see plenty of bobsled, luge, ski jumping - and with a little DVR work you can watch biathalon until the hearts content and every curling and hockey match in its entirety on the various networks.

Sorry to go on a rant - not directed at you personally, but I read this a lot and as a huge Olympics fan I can say NBC has made HUGE improvements to how they cover the games since the Sydney days.

[Araxen]

The day ESPN/ABC acquires the rights to the Olympics is the day I go outside and sing in the streets. NBC just does a horrible job with the Olympics.

[sum_random_dork]

The day ESPN/ABC acquires the rights to the Olympics is the day I go outside and sing in the streets. NBC just does a horrible job with the Olympics.

100% agree ESPN won't make us West Coasters be stuck in TAPE DELAY!

[ajc68]

With Comcast taking over NBC/Universal, there's yet another reason to root for ABC/ESPN getting future rights (for all those non-Comcast cable peeps).

[Grafixguy]

With Comcast taking over NBC/Universal, there's yet another reason to root for ABC/ESPN getting future rights (for all those non-Comcast cable peeps).

Comcast getting control of NBC is far from a lock.

[usnret]

Plus lots of Leno adverts??

[Tubaman-Z]

...Sorry to go on a rant - not directed at you personally, but I read this a lot and as a huge Olympics fan I can say NBC has made HUGE improvements to how they cover the games since the Sydney days.

I completely agree with you. I picked up the HD Extra Pack during the last summer Olympics specifically to watch (record) events that I wanted to see that were covered, just not in prime-time. The breadth of summer games coverage across the NBC channels was excellent (still could have used more judo coverage though. :) ) I plan to have the Vancouver games on whenever I am home.

[Maleman]

100% agree ESPN won't make us West Coasters be stuck in TAPE DELAY!

Tape delay, pardon the band english "sucks"!

[DMRI2006]

I completely agree with you. I picked up the HD Extra Pack during the last summer Olympics specifically to watch (record) events that I wanted to see that were covered, just not in prime-time. The breadth of summer games coverage across the NBC channels was excellent (still could have used more judo coverage though. :) ) I plan to have the Vancouver games on whenever I am home.

Unless you're on the west coast this is going to be as good as it gets for live Winter Olympics coverage. All the skating and hockey will be live, plus a lot of the skiing as well with the three-hour time difference -- looking at the schedule there'll be some live skiing even in primetime.

NBC has definitely improved since the Sydney games, I agree -- but to be fair, they were screwed with the time difference down under. No matter what they did it was going to be tough not to have a mostly-taped Olympics of that location.

That said I think ESPN/ABC would go with an all-live, all-the-time coverage no matter of the locale should they ever get the rights back, and then just replay events in larger-viewership windows when necessary.

[Maleman]

Unless you're on the west coast this is going to be as good as it gets for live Winter Olympics coverage. All the skating and hockey will be live, plus a lot of the skiing as well with the three-hour time difference -- looking at the schedule there'll be some live skiing even in primetime.

NBC has definitely improved since the Sydney games, I agree -- but to be fair, they were screwed with the time difference down under. No matter what they did it was going to be tough not to have a mostly-taped Olympics of that location.

That said I think ESPN/ABC would go with an all-live, all-the-time coverage no matter of the locale should they ever get the rights back, and then just replay events in larger-viewership windows when necessary.
Actually maybe I am confused lol, if I am on the west coast I should get it LIVE?

[Tubaman-Z]

...That said I think ESPN/ABC would go with an all-live, all-the-time coverage no matter of the locale should they ever get the rights back, and then just replay events in larger-viewership windows when necessary.

I would love a..18? x 7 live Olympic channel!

[jpoet]

The day ESPN/ABC acquires the rights to the Olympics is the day I go outside and sing in the streets. NBC just does a horrible job with the Olympics.

Ick!!!!! I HATE watching sports on ESPN.

Why? Because of the "BottomLine".

I find ESPN's bottom line very distracting -- I can't help but look at it as the text scrolls across the bottom of the screen. It might not be so bad, but it just the same info over-and-over-and-over-and-over-and-over-and-over-, etc., etc., etc., again....

It also spoils other sporting events which are on at the same time. I refuse to watch ESPN live, because their damn BottomLine will likely give me the score from another game I am recording, thus ruining the suspense.

It also takes up screen real-estate. I want the whole screen dedicated to the sported event. Just proves that ESPN does not really care about broadcasting a sporting event in the best possible way.

John

[Maruuk]

ABC/ESPN = 720p = ED, not HD! Horrible blurfest compared to 1080i.

Sure some clowns in Washington DC defined 720p as HD, but it simply ain't. I shudder to think what these Winter Olympics would look like in 720: all the detail blurred out, that uncanny sense of being there completely wiped away. You're suddenly just watching the Olympics on TELEVISION.

Huzzah to NBC for continuing to bring them to us in true HD! Next best thing to a lift ticket for Whistler!

Someday ABC/ESPN will wise up and go true HD. If it walks like ED, and talks like ED, and sure as hell looks like ED, then by god, it IS ED.

[gregjones]

Why can't they dedicate one channel to the melodramatic backstories and devote a channel to the actual events. Every reality show and sporting event now suffers from "Behind the Music" syndrome, where at least 1/3 of the time is spent going over history instead of the events themselves.

Commentary during events is ok (we all have a mute button). Commentary instead of events is not.

[sum_random_dork]

ABC/ESPN = 720p = ED, not HD! Horrible blurfest compared to 1080i........................
Someday ABC/ESPN will wise up and go true HD. If it walks like ED, and talks like ED, and sure as hell looks like ED, then by god, it IS ED.

If I recall correctly there was some research done for sports and HD many people felt sports show better in progressive scan verus interlaced. Thats' why ESPN and I think MLB both go with 720P.

[wilbur_the_goose]

FOX is also (unfortunately) 720p

[Eksynyt]

I hope to god ABC/ESPN get the olympics soon because for those of us on the west coast, we might as well not even watch them since it's always delayed.

Also, any "inappropriate" stuff which makes me laugh would get cut from our broadcast like a swear word or something. It sucks living out west especially when the games originate from the PACIFIC TIME ZONE!!!!!

[JoeTheDragon]

Why can't they dedicate one channel to the melodramatic backstories and devote a channel to the actual events. Every reality show and sporting event now suffers from "Behind the Music" syndrome, where at least 1/3 of the time is spent going over history instead of the events themselves.

Commentary during events is ok (we all have a mute button). Commentary instead of events is not.

The cable ones seem to be more about the events and the free / ota one seems to have more of crap.

[levibluewa]

When is DirecTV going to get MSNBC in HD??? :mad:

From DISH ?

[ladannen]

I hope to god ABC/ESPN get the olympics soon because for those of us on the west coast, we might as well not even watch them since it's always delayed.
I don't live on the west coast, but there is something I don't understand.
NBC events are tape delayed, while all the events from the various NBC cable networks would be live, right?
If the olympics were on ABC's family of networks, you are saying they would not tape delay the ABC events?

[levibluewa]

http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/2010-schedule/index.html

One advantage of living in a border town...some things are "live" and you don't have to listen to the verbal diarrhea of NBCs on-air "talent".

[Maruuk]

Judicious use of the DVR skip function thankfully will be eliminating most of the tedious NBC "up close and personal" bushwa and their endless commentator interview and opinion pieces. Canadian culture frankly is not so exotic to be interesting as was Italy. I'll be happy to watch the competitions, and skip all commercials and most of the filler crap which comes off pretty much the same way NBC covers New Year's Eve in Times Square, the Macy's T-day parade, and the Rose Bowl Parade: insipid, vapid, pre-scripted fluff. Click, click, and click and it's gone like a cool breeze.

[Maruuk]

Why would anybody after 60 years of horrible standard def TV want to continue to watch it in significantly reduced resolution if they didn't have to? I watch NHL hockey, the fastest game on Earth, in 1080i and have no problem with motion blur or motion artifacts.

I see zero motion artifact differential between 1080i and 720p, but I definitely see MAJOR resolution differences between the two formats. Pic detail is SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED in 720p on a 42" set. An argument can be made that 32" and smaller sets can't reveal that differential. But at 42" you can damn well see a major detail improvement at 1080i.

Also major TV reviewers like CNET have concluded that the 120/240Hz etc scanning multiples are imperceptible to the human eye and are just gimmicks to sell TVs. Not that there isn't TECHNICALLY an improvement on paper in terms of motion updates, just that the human eye with its infamous retention of image component can't distinguish increments at those speeds.

Interesting that with all this supposedly lobbying for 720p from sports fans who love that resolution and full-screen 60Hz refresh rate, that 1080p sets are gradually pushing out 720p sets in the marketplace. 42" and above 720p sets are becoming an endangered species. I call that progress! Death to 720p, long live the 1080i king! And may Prince 1080p ascend to the throne in rapid succession!

[tkrandall]

OK ok! :) I confess. NBC has done a better job covering more sports more broadly via the family of channels the last couple of rounds of Olympics. I am very thankful those parallel streams are there. But even with Beijing in found certain events such as javelin, shot put, pole vault for example barely got any time other than a 60 second summary at 1055pm. Seems the prime time primary Network coverage in particular is limited to certain events, plus they seem to reduce coverage on the other channels during that time. Perhaps that was partially a time zone issue with Beijing and Athens games.

I'd like to see more louge, biathalon, traditional ski jump, etc type old school coverage, not just the top 5 finishers summary they sometimes revert to.

[Tubaman-Z]

...But even with Beijing in found certain events such as javelin, shot put, pole vault for example barely got any time other than a 60 second summary at 1055pm. Seems the prime time primary Network coverage in particular is limited to certain events, plus they seem to reduce coverage on the other channels during that time. Perhaps that was partially a time zone issue with Beijing and Athens games.

I'd like to see more louge, biathalon, traditional ski jump, etc type old school coverage, not just the top 5 finishers summary they sometimes revert to.

+1 You listed several of the summer events that I would like to see more coverage of. In addition to shotput, they showed very, very little discus or hammer throw. And +1 on the winter coverage as well.

[Maruuk]

You'll remember long ago, back in the late 80's I think, D* did this big complicated PPV deal with the Summer Olympics where they showed EVERYTHING on multiple channels if you were willing to pony up an extra $139 or something. Bottom line: it was a complete train wreck, they lost a ton on it. It didn't help that the guide was always wrong and you ended up missing half the stuff you paid for.

Ever since then nets have been leery of the fringe sports. Watch for the rise of curling, though. The Italian Winter Olympics featured a lot of cute young girls and wild histrionics in the "sport" and it kicked up interest a lot.

[beachmonkey]

You'll remember long ago, back in the late 80's I think, D* did this big complicated PPV deal with the Summer Olympics where they showed EVERYTHING on multiple channels if you were willing to pony up an extra $139 or something. Bottom line: it was a complete train wreck, they lost a ton on it. It didn't help that the guide was always wrong and you ended up missing half the stuff you paid for.

Ever since then nets have been leery of the fringe sports. Watch for the rise of curling, though. The Italian Winter Olympics featured a lot of cute young girls and wild histrionics in the "sport" and it kicked up interest a lot.

Wasn't that also carried by cable and known as the "Olympics TripleCast" with a Red, White and Blue Channel?

[mhking]

Wasn't that also carried by cable and known as the "Olympics TripleCast" with a Red, White and Blue Channel?

Yeah -- the 'Triplecast' was from the Barcelona games in '92 -- Three channels, and at least where I lived, the model fell apart less than three days in, resulting in our cable system giving us most of it for free.

[tkrandall]

I have read posts (in the past) from others outside the U.S. that Olympic coverage of events in their countries has, in their opinion, more breadth and does not take on the U.S. Network feature story/focus event style of presentation. Anyone care to comment on the validity (or not) of that?

[Pete K.]

In the past, the CBC spent more time on live coverage. If figure skaters were taking to the ice at 8 a.m. local time, it was shown live across all time zones. NBC was focused on making the coverage appear to be live, when it was sometimes delayed 12 or more hours. NBC likes to intersperse their "live" coverage with lots of athlete interviews, etc.
Now that CBC is on the sidelines, we'll have to wait and see if CTV continues the tradition of "live across the nation." Although this year's Olympic games are in the Pacific time zone, NBC will continue to delay coverage for West Coast viewers. To me, that's just stupid.

[tkrandall]

I'd call it over managed.

[JoeTheDragon]

In the past, the CBC spent more time on live coverage. If figure skaters were taking to the ice at 8 a.m. local time, it was shown live across all time zones. NBC was focused on making the coverage appear to be live, when it was sometimes delayed 12 or more hours. NBC likes to intersperse their "live" coverage with lots of athlete interviews, etc.
Now that CBC is on the sidelines, we'll have to wait and see if CTV continues the tradition of "live across the nation." Although this year's Olympic games are in the Pacific time zone, NBC will continue to delay coverage for West Coast viewers. To me, that's just stupid.
and seems like bell tv will have 5 ad free HD channels for the olympics.

[pablo]

Is there a well-formated simple printable TV schedule?

[gilviv]

Will we get a mix channel like D* gave us with the Summer Olympics and now with the Aussy Open?:confused:

[RACJ2]

ABC/ESPN = 720p = ED, not HD! Horrible blurfest compared to 1080i.

Sure some clowns in Washington DC defined 720p as HD, but it simply ain't. I shudder to think what these Winter Olympics would look like in 720: all the detail blurred out, that uncanny sense of being there completely wiped away. You're suddenly just watching the Olympics on TELEVISION.

Huzzah to NBC for continuing to bring them to us in true HD! Next best thing to a lift ticket for Whistler!

Someday ABC/ESPN will wise up and go true HD. If it walks like ED, and talks like ED, and sure as hell looks like ED, then by god, it IS ED.Its possible that the TV you have doesn't convert and scale the 720P signal very well. ESPN on both my Plasma and LCD flat screens looks great. I found an old blog that discussed the difference between 720P and 1080i and why ESPN chose 720P. Here is part of it:
A 720p signal is made up of 720 horizontal lines. Each frame is displayed in its entirety on-screen for 1/30th of a second. This is know as progressive scan (hence the 'p')The quality is like watching 30 photographic images a second on TV. A 1080i signal comprises 1080 horizontal lines but all the lines are not displayed on-screen simultaneously. Instead, they are interlaced (hence the 'i'), ie every other lines is displayed for 1/60th of a second and then the alternate lines are displayed for 1/60th of a second. So, the frame rate is still 30 frames per second, but each frame is split into two fields, which your brain then puts together subconsciously.

Most of the time interlacing works fine, but for fast moving images, such as sports like baseball and hockey it can cause problems which manifest themselves as a 'stepping' effect on-screen. Progressive scan signals don't have this problem and so are better suited to sports.

ESPN puts it like this: 'Progressive scan technology produces better images for the fast moving orientation of sports television. Simply put, with 104 mph fastballs in baseball and 120 mph shots on goal in hockey, the line-by-line basis of progressive scan technology better captures the inherent fast action of sports. For ESPN, progressive scan technology makes perfect sense.

[jefbal99]

Will we get a mix channel like D* gave us with the Summer Olympics and now with the Aussy Open?:confused:

Did we get a mix channel in the summer? I remember the remaps of UHD, USAHD, etc and the basketball HD and Soccer HDs

[Maruuk]

I've never seen a lick of difference "stepping effect-wise" between 720p and 1080i on any screen under any circumstance or type of sports. I'm well aware of the technical differences, however the human eye can't discern them. What it can discern is definition. 720p lacks any detail clarity compared to 1080i. It's just that a lot of folks don't care. Incredibly, and this is true, guys love HD in general, and women are like "Oh, I guess it's better." I've seen that many times.

And many folks simply don't care about background detail. Tale a show like Ugly Betty. It's all about faces, close-ups, mugging, people large in frame. It looks fine in ABC's 720p. Large objects in frame come across fine in 720p, you don't notice the loss of clarity at all.

But for sports like football and NASCAR, both of which get shown a lot in 720p, even the cars are slightly blurry. Not crisp. And the background detail like the fans in the stands and anything tiny in frame are lost to a sloppy blurfest--at 720 these details simply can't get resolved. So you get that old TV feeling of watching TV instead of being there.

As opposed to watching say a PGA event in NBC's excellent 1080i. It's stunning. The littlest details, blades of grass, fans, the line of the putter shaft, the ball, all crystal clear. It's like being there. A world of difference.

My 1080p TV works fine. That's why I can see the difference...BIGTIME.

Thank you TV gods for bringing us the Olympics in true HD!!!

[tyrok3k]

If you look at the NBC Olympics schedule it seems like Universal Sports will just be a mirror of Universal HD or vice versa. So people using OTA will get one and everyone else can get the other and see the same coverage. It looks like all they will show is repeats, recaps, and round table discussions anyway.

I had Time Warner during the 2008 Olympics and they made Universal HD free and also added USA HD for those two weeks but then took them both away. What was the situation for D* during the last Olympics?

Linky (http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv-listings/index.html)

[Hdhead]

So does this mean we will have MSNBC coverage in HD?

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/content/sports/olympics/overview?footernavtype=-1

[JoeTheDragon]

So does this mean we will have MSNBC coverage in HD?

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/content/sports/olympics/overview?footernavtype=-1

also will sports mix go HD? just show the 4 HD Olympics channels? show the 4 Olympics channels bigger then have then + 4 other sports channels?

Channel 700-705 remaps?

[dstorm]

So does this mean we will have MSNBC coverage in HD?

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/content/sports/olympics/overview?footernavtype=-1

It appears that will be the case. Great news indeed.

[Maleman]

It appears that will be the case. Great news indeed.
I am a tad confused. Will all available Olympic coverage be on the mix channels? Or will I need to channel surf?
Thanks

[Beerstalker]

The mix channel will show all 4 channels at the same time in smaller screens. You can then use the yellow button and the direction pad to change which channel you are listening to. When you have a channel highlighted you can also hit the select button and it will tune to that channel directly.

[tonyd79]

I am a tad confused. Will all available Olympic coverage be on the mix channels? Or will I need to channel surf?
Thanks

Look at any of the Mix channels today (sports, news). The functionality is the same except in this case, it will be all four NBC channels.

So, no, you will not need to channel surf.

[Maruuk]

Uhh, when was D* planning on adding MSNBC-HD? They've got about 11 days to go.

[Maruuk]

Also I'm assuming the mix channel will have all the important/hi-interest content on blackout during the day since NBC wants to hide it all until primetime. So the mix channel will be all curling and biathlon and first round ladies' luge all day. O the agony of de feet.

[bmac64]

i wonder if west coasters will get the live eastcoast feeds on the mix channels

[Beerstalker]

All the Mix channel does is show the same thing that the 4 other channels (NBC, CNBC, USA and MSNBC ) are currently showing. So if the USA channel is showing figure skating, and goes to commercial, you will see the exact same thing on the mix channel.

I do not remember how they do the main NBC channel though. They might map your local NBC channel to the mix page, or they might use one of the national feeds. Whichever they do it will be the same thing that is airing on that channel.

The mix channel doesn't show you anything different, it just allows you to see all 4 channels at the same time (kind of like picture in picture, but with 4 channels).

[Maruuk]

I imagine they'll use the East coast feeds.

[cygnusloop]

... They might map your local NBC channel to the mix page, or they might use one of the national feeds...

IIRC, for the Beijing games they simply mapped the LiL feed for your market. At least that's what the did here (Denver DMA). If you don't have LiL's then, :shrug:

[dstorm]

I imagine they'll use the East coast feeds.

will definitely be your local NBC feed -

[Maruuk]

No HD LiLs here, mate. Welcome to the wonderful world of D* Unobtainium. The 4-channel matrix feed will feature snow/snow/snow and more snow. Perfect for the Winter Olympics.

[Eksynyt]

I imagine they'll use the East coast feeds.

There's no way NBC would ever let people on the West Coast watch the big events live. It has never happened before nor will it ever happen as long as anybody besides ESPN/ABC does it.

[Maruuk]

The obvious nightmare for the viewers is not so much the delay per se, but the spoilers in the evening news at 6 and online. WHITE TAKES GOLD IN BOARDING! US SHUT OUT OF MEDALS IN WOMEN'S FIGURE SKATING! NO MIRACLE ON ICE FOR US SQUAD! I mean, there's gonna be a ton of PO'd viewers hating NBC forever.

[dstorm]

The obvious nightmare for the viewers is not so much the delay per se, but the spoilers in the evening news at 6 and online. WHITE TAKES GOLD IN BOARDING! US SHUT OUT OF MEDALS IN WOMEN'S FIGURE SKATING! NO MIRACLE ON ICE FOR US SQUAD! I mean, there's gonna be a ton of PO'd viewers hating NBC forever.

This absolutely is the issue - But it will equally apply to the East Coast for most events as well. Downhill skiing results will be known long before NBC airs later in the evening.

For those that like to watch the drama unfold without knowing results, it does take effort to avoid internet, news and the web for extended periods of time. But it can be done.

[tkrandall]

Well - this does not sound very promising. Below from NBC's site (customized for my local and sat provider) It looks like the affiliate broadcast station (in my case 11Alive) will be the only one to carry any traditional snow and alpine events. Good luck seeing much of that if there is any figure skating or half pipe to show that day. I guess I will have to record a lot during the day and hope that NBC does not choose to not air the traditional alpine events during the day in order to hold them for the evening, and then only to show us select coverage (read US atheletes and a few other top contenders) for a few minutes during the evening broadcast. I wonder if Nordic will be covered at all.

USA, CNBC, MSNBC will be decidated to hocky and curling only??!! (as I read it)


11ALIVE (11) From the Opening Ceremony to the final trip to the podium, NBC will air nearly 200 hours of Olympic coverage over the Games' 17 days. Network coverage features everything from ice sports like Figure Skating, Speed Skating and Curling to snow sports like Alpine Skiing, Luge and Ski Jumping.
USA (242)
Also available on HD Channel 242 Beginning at Noon (EST) on February 14, USA Network is the spot for live Olympic Hockey and Curling. Coverage features Team USA -- both men and women in each sport -- six Hockey games and nine Curling matches, including the women's bronze medal contest.

MSNBC (356) Over the course of the 21st Winter Olympic Games, MSNBC will televise more than 30 Hockey and Curling contests. Coverage begins live on February 15 when the Canadian women take on Switzerland in Hockey, and also features Team USA on numerous occasions throughout the Games, as well as late night replays of earlier live broadcasts.

CNBC (355)
Also available on HD Channel 355 The first Olympic puck drops in Vancouver on February 13, and CNBC will have the contest (Sweden vs. Switzerland) live. For the following 14 days, CNBC will cover all the action on ice: at least 24 Hockey games -- up to the men's bronze medal game -- and 18 Curling matches including both the men's and women's gold medal contests.

Universal HD (259) Throughout the Olympic Games, Universal Sports and Universal Sports HD will provide one-stop coverage, highlights and analysis from Vancouver. With two daily programs -- a highlights and recap show, and a roundtable discussion featuring journalists from around the globe -- Universal Sports has all the best moments and insights daily.

Universal Sports Throughout the Olympic Games, Universal Sports and Universal Sports HD will provide one-stop coverage, highlights and analysis from Vancouver. With two daily programs -- a highlights and recap show, and a roundtable discussion featuring journalists from around the globe -- Universal Sports has all the best moments and insights daily.

[Pete K.]

Which is why I plan to supplement my viewing choices by watching CTV.

[tkrandall]

Which is why I plan to supplement my viewing choices by watching CTV.

I assume you mean on-line? Will U.S. located IP addresses be able to pick up on those CTVstreams, or has NBC legally blocked them somehow? (I am speaking somewhat ignorantly as to if that is possible/practicable. All I know for example is that ESPN360 is only available through participating internet service providers, so it does not seem a stretch to me that there would be a way for providers to be legally required to block it.)

[Pete K.]

CTV will block anyone who does not have a Canadian IP address. There are ways around that, which I am NOT advocating here. I have access to a privately controlled, legal live stream of CTV's programming. Oh, before you ask, I cannot share it.

[dstorm]

Well - this does not sound very promising. Below from NBC's site (customized for my local and sat provider) It looks like the affiliate broadcast station (in my case 11Alive) will be the only one to carry any traditional snow and alpine events. Good luck seeing much of that if there is any figure skating or half pipe to show that day. I guess I will have to record a lot during the day and hope that NBC does not choose to not air the traditional alpine events during the day in order to hold them for the evening, and then only to show us select coverage (read US atheletes and a few other top contenders) for a few minutes during the evening broadcast. I wonder if Nordic will be covered at all.

USA, CNBC, MSNBC will be decidated to hocky and curling only??!! (as I read it)



You will be able to see a whole lot more Nordic than Alpine during the day. Alpine events will be saved for evening viewing - and greatly condensed if history is any indication.

[tonyd79]

Uhh, when was D* planning on adding MSNBC-HD? They've got about 11 days to go.

You are assuming they will turn on MSNBC-HD full time on its normal channel. They could turn it on as an Olympic channel in the 700 range (or elsewhere) and that can be turned on immediately before. Just like they turned on the Australian Open tennis tournament. I actually stumbled on it before it was on because one of the channel was in my quicktune and I could get to it before it was actually turned on (couldn't guide or number-tune to it, just through the quicktune I was using for NFL mix).

I imagine they will have an Olympic block of channels. I think they did this for the Summer Olympics.

[islesfan]

Apparently if you are a fan of curling, you are all set.

Hockey and Curling are the only Olympic sports I watch, so I'm all set. Actually, I'll tune in for a little bobsledding, speed skating, and such, but I don't follow it. I'll watch a run or two until it all starts to look the same, and then I'm out. At least it isn't a week of wall to wall swimming followed by a week of wall to wall track. Summer Olympics make me want to tear my eyeballs out!

[texasmoose]

The absolute worse thing about NBC sports = Bob Costas! My wife really loves calling him a TROLL. I'm sick of him too, let's get some new blood in there. It makes me sick thinking about the kind of "$JACK$" this guy makes for sucking so badly, kinda of like Ryan Seacrest.

[Maruuk]

So really NBC/D* could just turn on a generic block of Oly channels anytime they want up in the 700's or something. Anyways, pray for snow gang! It's mostly raining up there now.

[Maleman]

So really NBC/D* could just turn on a generic block of Oly channels anytime they want up in the 700's or something. Anyways, pray for snow gang! It's mostly raining up there now.

Only some concern for the local mtns which house snowboarding/freestyle, They are trucking in snow :)
Whistler has tonnes of snow. The rest of the events are indoors.

[texasmoose]

The Canux are shaking in their boots........

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61165V20100202

[Maleman]

The Canux are shaking in their boots........

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61165V20100202

Nah, things will be fine.

[Maruuk]

Very disappointing the opening and closing ceremonies will take place in a warm, dry, downtown urban environment. That's a dealbreaker in terms of the venue in my book. If you're going to hold a Winter Olympics, hold it in some city that is ACTUALLY IN A WINTER ENVIRONMENT, not some 55-degree pleasant Spring-like location that has nothing to do with Winter sports.

Italy was magical. The incredible ceremonies took place in the gleaming snow, the town was in the snow, the village, the shops, the entire world was a winter wonderland. The ambience was perfect, you want the Winter Olympics placed in an all-snow universe, not some smog-choked warm city. Ugh! All the wonder and charm have been drained away from these ceremonies. Might as well be the Summer Olympics.

You have to drive 2 hours North just to find some snow, and all the lower slopes for the Freestyle and snowboarding were bare and getting rained on before they spent 20 million bucks and TRUCKED IN snow over hay bales. Gimme a break!

Even Whistler is only 3k' high. Sure they have good snow up there, but it's in a different COUNTY fer cripes sake.

What a terrible venue to hold the Winter Olympics. Why not Atlanta or Dallas??? San Diego next.

Dear Oly Committee: think 6,000'+ next time. Set the Winter Olympics where there's actually some frackin WINTER.

[dstorm]

Very disappointing the opening and closing ceremonies will take place in a warm, dry, downtown urban environment. That's a dealbreaker in terms of the venue in my book. If you're going to hold a Winter Olympics, hold it in some city that is ACTUALLY IN A WINTER ENVIRONMENT, not some 55-degree pleasant Spring-like location that has nothing to do with Winter sports.

Italy was magical. The ceremonies took place in the snow, the ambience was perfect, you want the Winter Olympics placed in an all-snow world, not some smog-choked warm city. Ugh! All the wonder and charm have been drained away from these cermonies.

You have to drive 2 hours North just to find some snow, and all the lower slopes for the Freestyle and snowboarding were bare and getting rained on before they spent 20 million bucks and TRUCKED IN snow over hay bales. Gimme a break!

Even Whistler is only 3k' high. Sure they have good snow up there, but it's in a different COUNTY fer cripes sake.

What a terrible venue to hold the Winter Olympics. Why not Atlanta or Dallas??? San Diego next.

Dear Oly Committee: think 6,000'+ next time. Set the Winter Olympics where there's actually some frackin WINTER.

And ironically, despite the balmy weather, the opening ceremonies will be held inside a dome for the first time in history.

Hopefully the warm weather and man-made snow doesn't impact the competition too much - that's my only concern. Vancouver is an amazing city.

[phatmatt1215]

Is there an EASY way to print out a schedule of events/channels/times?

[Hoosier205]

This may turn out to be the Mud Olympics rather than the Winter Olympics.

[Eksynyt]

They got unlucky with a bad El Nino year. It's been 50 degrees or more every day this winter in Oregon, second warmest on record.

[Hoosier205]

I'm surprised Al Gore isn't already up there with a film crew ready to cash in. :)

[Maleman]

I'm surprised Al Gore isn't already up there with a film crew ready to cash in. :)

LOL great opportunity :) but they have already started training runs on the local mtns so should be good to go.

[tonyd79]

We got about 35 inches of snow (with about 10 to 20 more tonight) to send up there. Where should it be delivered?

[EagleClaw]

This is all the details we are going to get???

"Experience the Olympics like never before.
Watch all of NBC Universal's coverage of the Vancouver Games on DIRECTV in breathtaking High-Def †. See up to four channels — NBC, CNBC, USA and MSNBC — at the same time on DIRECTV's Sports Mix Channel. Enjoy interactive features, including NBC's Team USA updates, and enhance your Olympic experience with
daily highlights and full-length event replays on
DIRECTV on DEMAND."

[sdk009]

This is all the details we are going to get???

"Experience the Olympics like never before.
Watch all of NBC Universal's coverage of the Vancouver Games on DIRECTV in breathtaking High-Def †. See up to four channels — NBC, CNBC, USA and MSNBC — at the same time on DIRECTV's Sports Mix Channel. Enjoy interactive features, including NBC's Team USA updates, and enhance your Olympic experience with
daily highlights and full-length event replays on
DIRECTV on DEMAND."

I went to the D* website and found a lot more information that just that paragraph.

My biggest complaint is that NBC has decided to show all of its main network programming on a tape delay basis for those of us in the Pacific Time Zone. However, if I read the information about the Olympics Mix Channel correctly, we will be able to see NBC's coverage live on it.

[Pete K.]

I'm not sure about live on the Olympic Mix Channel for you left coasters but you are right, all of the NBC coverage (via your local affiliate) will be delayed for the Pacific Time Zone. Contrast that to CTV's coverage which is live to all time zones.

[Maleman]

NBC sucks. Why in the world would they not show it LIVE. None the less I have other avenues. I hate tape delayed events.

[trainman]

NBC sucks. Why in the world would they not show it LIVE.

Because they believe they can get higher ratings -- there are more eyeballs available from 7:30 to midnight than from 4:30 to 9:00 (especially during the first couple of hours of that block), and they believe that the number of people willing to watch tape-delayed coverage from 7:30 to midnight outweighs the number of people who won't watch because the events aren't live.

It's related to the fact that they cover the Olympics as drama rather than as sports, particularly when it comes to the spotlight events that they have scheduled to air in prime time.

[Maruuk]

Note NBC is not saying they'll show EVERYTHING in HD on all channels, just that they'll show you "Olympic coverage" in HD. I wouldn't count on MSNBC-HD being offered this Friday. NBC has been the last net to embrace full HD across the board. You'll remember their stimulating "HD" PGA coverage last year where they'd constantly jump from SD to HD back to SD cameras giving everybody a migraine and making you cross-eyed. All because they were too cheap to upgrade all their cameras to HD. Unreal. They finally convinced their bean counters to pony up. Kicking and screaming.

[Hoosier205]

No. This will actually be an all HD olympics.

[Maruuk]

Well, HD content may be AVAILABLE for any delivery system, but it doesn't mean if you have to access via MSNBC-SD and that's the only D* channel available, that'll you'll SEE it in HD. Maybe that'll be in HD on the net, or in Canada.

Here in San Jose, Comcast announced that ALL Sharks games from now on would be in HD. However, some games are in HD on Comcast only, not available in HD on D* or Dish. Always read the fine print.

[JoeTheDragon]

Well, HD content may be AVAILABLE for any delivery system, but it doesn't mean if you have to access via MSNBC-SD and that's the only D* channel available, that'll you'll SEE it in HD. Maybe that'll be in HD on the net, or in Canada.

Here in San Jose, Comcast announced that ALL Sharks games from now on would be in HD. However, some games are in HD on Comcast only, not available in HD on D* or Dish. Always read the fine print.

and they can't even get there nhl extra games in HD as well.

[n3ntj]

Too bad D* can't add MSNBC HD for the Olympics. I am sure there is bandwidth for 1 more HD channel that is available somewhere.. drop Versus's slide or drop one HD PPV for 2 weeks.

[anleva]

This discussion on DirecTV's advertising claim that they "set the gold standard for High-Def coverage" and "you can watch all the action in crystal-clear HD", got me thinking who, if anyone, offers all 4 NBC channels in HD (NBC, CNBC, USA, MSNBC).

Here is what I found after checking the HD channel lineup on AV Forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058081) for whatever it's worth:

Wide Availability

- Dish
- AT&T
- Cablevision
- Bright House

Limited Availability (some locations)

- Comcast
- TWC
- Cox
- Insight

Does not currently offer HD on all 4 NBC channels:

- DirecTV
- Verizon
- Charter
- Mediacom
- Suddenlink
- CableOne

[bnwrx]

This is off subject but... It was announced today Lindsay Vonn has a very serious injury which could greatly impact her Olympics. Here is the interview with Matt Lauer:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=d20b8c3b-af56-4c18-8653-a1c641882988.html?__source=newsletter&cid=newsletter_

[VHS or Beta]

Does not currently offer HD on all 4 NBC channels:

- DirecTV
- Verizon
- Charter
- Mediacom
- Suddenlink
- CableOne

There's late-breaking word on the FiOS TV forum over at broadbandreports that Verizon will be adding MSNBC-HD on Feb 12th in time for the Olympics.

[Lodi25]

NBC sucks. Why in the world would they not show it LIVE. None the less I have other avenues. I hate tape delayed events.

For those of us on the west coast, I think it's time for us all to "MOVE" to the big apple for a few weeks so we can watch the games LIVE! :D NBC sucks!!!

[Araxen]

Hopefully ABC/ESPN picks up the rights. They have said if the win the rights everything will be shown live.

Could you imagine if NBC had the World Cup? All the tape delayed USA games? ugh.....

[Lodi25]

Hopefully ABC/ESPN picks up the rights. They have said if the win the rights everything will be shown live.

Could you imagine if NBC had the World Cup? All the tape delayed USA games? ugh.....

I've heard that too. I think NBC has the 2012 games and then that's the end of their current contract! I really hope ESPN gets it then. I like to watch sports "LIVE".

[hoopsbwc34]

Any chance they will have a dedicated channel range on DirecTV again like they did for the summer olympics? I liked having the channels mirrored in the same place so it was easy to see what was on when.

From the 2008 Summer Olympics:
o DIRECTV will mirror all existing cable networks in a dedicated Olympics channel range 750-756.

[Barcthespark]

NBC is bumping the USA Vs. Canada hockey game to MSNBC. That means no HD for DirecTV viewers. The bronze medal game is also scheduled for MSNBC. THIS SUCKS!!!

[JoeTheDragon]

I've heard that too. I think NBC has the 2012 games and then that's the end of their current contract! I really hope ESPN gets it then. I like to watch sports "LIVE".

IF comcast get's there way and that is cable only that will be the end of them having the games.

[DMRI2006]

NBC is bumping the USA Vs. Canada hockey game to MSNBC. That means no HD for DirecTV viewers. The bronze medal game is also scheduled for MSNBC. THIS SUCKS!!!

It does, completely. I might go over to my folks' place where they get MSNBC in HD on their cable system.

D* has done nothing for us for months and now we get further insult to injury. What a joke.

[Maruuk]

Yeah, it appears I was right. NBC is throwing one of the biggest events in the Olympics (US vs Canada men's hockey) over to an SD-only channel for D* viewers. AND time-delaying it as well. So both NBC AND D* are totally effing us. Incredible.

[Eksynyt]

NBC seriously needs to be banned from ever having the Olympics again. All they care about is housewives and mindless corporate slaves to watch their commercial-ridden "coverage" of the games. NBC stands for Nothing But Commercials.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10451268-71.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

I love the part of that article where the guy says that people just want highlights online and that's all they really care about, then goes on to say that they are being diligent in blocking illegal streams. Wait, doesn't everybody just want highlights? I thought you were hemorrhaging money NBC, why waste so much of that money on techies who will just piss everybody off if everybody only wants highlights? Then again, makes as much sense as keeping a washed up "comedian" in his former timeslot while screwing over a much more popular and much funnier man in order to do so...and also about as much sense as losing 200 million on the games. Good work NBC, no one watches you anymore and you have pissed off every sports fan in the nation. Now just let Comcast buy you and take all of the local NBC affiliates off the air when they have satellite disputes and that will complete your transition from Must See TV to everyone's most-hated network.

Edit: forgot to add the link

[Maruuk]

Heroes and Leno jumped the shark 3 years ago, and SNL jumped it 20 years ago...but they just keep flogging these turkeys to death to diminishing audiences since they have nothing better to offer. Now they want to destroy every last vestige of excitement and integrity in the Olympics. I guess the thing to hope for is that most folks will hear about the event results many hours ahead of the time-delay broadcasts and simply tune out. Then NBC won't just lose 200 million on the Olympics, they'll lose 500 million. Couldn't happen to a nicer nutwork.

Oh, and thanks for getting us MSNBC-HD in time for the Olympics, D*! Probably be about the same time we get VS back....

[Maruuk]

Final nail in our viewing coffin from the current D* Olympics pitch on their home page: "Watch NBC Universal's coverage of the Vancouver Games on DIRECTV in breathtaking High-Def on NBC, CNBC, USA and MSNBC-HD†.

†MSNBC is not available in HD."

Gotta love these D* morons. They don't even get their own irony.

[Hdhead]

The premier sporting event of the Olympics not available in HD from the self-proclaimed leader in TV sporting events? Are you kidding me? This is a travesty of the highest magnitude! :ramblinon

[Avder]

Yeah, it appears I was right. NBC is throwing one of the biggest events in the Olympics (US vs Canada men's hockey) over to an SD-only channel for D* viewers. AND time-delaying it as well. So both NBC AND D* are totally effing us. Incredible.

Its TAPE DELAYED TOO?

F***!

NBC Seriously needs to be banned from sports completely. Give their NHL Coverage to CBS or Fox or ABC and give their Sunday night NFL Game to ABC.

After that, Comcast can have em, cause thats the only crap I ever watch on the Nothing But Crap network.

[JerryElbow]

Apparently if you are a fan of curling, you are all set.
Great! What's not to like about curling? It's a tradition that when you play, the winning team buys the first round! (It's a pretty friendly kind of competition.)

[wilbur_the_goose]

Why can't D* give us Festivus and put up MSNBC-HD for the Olympics? They put up extra channels in HD for The Masters and the Australian Open!

[JoeTheDragon]

Its TAPE DELAYED TOO?

F***!

NBC Seriously needs to be banned from sports completely. Give their NHL Coverage to CBS or Fox or ABC and give their Sunday night NFL Game to ABC.

After that, Comcast can have em, cause thats the only crap I ever watch on the Nothing But Crap network.
IT's to bad they own good stuff like USA and SCIFI.

[bnwrx]

The premier sporting event of the Olympics not available in HD from the self-proclaimed leader in TV sporting events? Are you kidding me? This is a travesty of the highest magnitude! :ramblinon

In your opinion. Premier events in my opinion: 1 Mens Downhill 2 Womens Downhill 3 Womens Downhill(combined) then Mens Gold Medal hockey game. There will be plenty of HD coverage. One SD game won't ruin it for me. I can remember watching grainy BW taped coverage of Killy and Fleming but still found it worth watching. These are the Olympics people, enjoy the competition, quit moaning about the details!

[Red Dog]

NBC is bumping the USA Vs. Canada hockey game to MSNBC. That means no HD for DirecTV viewers. The bronze medal game is also scheduled for MSNBC. THIS SUCKS!!!

That is definitely going to suck. I've gotten very spoiled watching hockey in HD. Makes such a huge difference in that sport.

[Jersey Girl]

Heroes and Leno jumped the shark 3 years ago, and SNL jumped it 20 years ago...

Know what else 'Jumped the Shark'? Saying something 'Jumped the Shark'. ;)

[tonyd79]

Know what else 'Jumped the Shark'? Saying something 'Jumped the Shark'. ;)

Yup. And I can tell because the comic strip BC used it this week. If you make your way into that strip, you have jumped the...oops.

[DMRI2006]

In your opinion. Premier events in my opinion: 1 Mens Downhill 2 Womens Downhill 3 Womens Downhill(combined) then Mens Gold Medal hockey game. There will be plenty of HD coverage. One SD game won't ruin it for me. I can remember watching grainy BW taped coverage of Killy and Fleming but still found it worth watching. These are the Olympics people, enjoy the competition, quit moaning about the details!

Not having one of the key games of the entire olympics NOT IN HD when you are supposedly the HD leader is not just "moaning about the details."

And besides, the skiing is all going to be on tape (yes, even on the east coast), so I think live hockey trumps hours-old skiing that most everyone is going to know the result of anyway.

[Tubaman-Z]

Final nail in our viewing coffin from the current D* Olympics pitch on their home page: "Watch NBC Universal's coverage of the Vancouver Games on DIRECTV in breathtaking High-Def on NBC, CNBC, USA and MSNBC-HD†.

†MSNBC is not available in HD."

Gotta love these D* morons. They don't even get their own irony.

As D* hasn't yet seen fit to provide my DMA with HD LiLs, that leaves me with the following crystal clear HD Olympic coverage(*):


CNBC-HD - Hockey and curling
USA-HD - Hockey and curling


which would be great if I enjoyed hockey or curling (not dissing them by any means, just not my thing).

* - Full disclosure - I do get NBC-HD via OTA so I'll get to see more of the stuff that I am interested in in HD. But if I didn't then I would be pretty unhappy about the coverage.

[Avder]

In your opinion. Premier events in my opinion: 1 Mens Downhill 2 Womens Downhill 3 Womens Downhill(combined) then Mens Gold Medal hockey game. There will be plenty of HD coverage. One SD game won't ruin it for me. I can remember watching grainy BW taped coverage of Killy and Fleming but still found it worth watching. These are the Olympics people, enjoy the competition, quit moaning about the details!

If it was one random meaningless game in SD I wouldnt care, and a lot of other people wouldnt care. But Canada vs USA is *THE* hockey game to watch before the elimination rounds start, and its on a channel where HD isnt an option on D*. Hockey is several times easier to watch when its in high def because you can actually follow the puck, and the widescreen view lets you see more of the action away from the puck.

[sdk009]

In your opinion. Premier events in my opinion:

One SD game won't ruin it for me. I can remember watching grainy BW taped coverage of Killy and Fleming but still found it worth watching. These are the Olympics people, enjoy the competition, quit moaning about the details!

In my opinion the absolute premier event of this Olymipics is hockey. Its the national sport of Canada, invented in Canada, and this tournament is being played in...CANADA.

One SD game WILL ruin it for me. We have every right to moan as this is 2010, not 1980.

[sigma1914]

In my opinion the absolute premier event of this Olymipics is hockey. Its the national sport of Canada, invented in Canada, and this tournament is being played in...CANADA.

One SD game WILL ruin it for me. We have every right to moan as this is 2010, not 1980.

Well, technically it isn't the national sport. Lacrosse was the national sport. In 1994, a bill was introduced to declare hockey as Canada's national sport. The bill (Bill C-212) was widely opposed and later amended to become law stating, "To recognize hockey as Canada's National Winter Sport and lacrosse as Canada's National Summer Sport."

[texasmoose]

Not being able to watch the USA vs Canada Mens Hockey in HD is very frustrating to me. It's scheduled, as of now, to be aired over MSNBC in glorious SD, what a frickin' joke! I'm so bummed, beyond words!

[Aric]

Is this false advertising? Look at the last line, no asterisk to point to fine print.

http://imgur.com/Y9W4O.jpg

[sigma1914]

Is this false advertising? Look at the last line, no asterisk to point to fine print.

http://imgur.com/Y9W4O.jpg

Yes.

[bnwrx]

Not having one of the key games of the entire olympics NOT IN HD when you are supposedly the HD leader is not just "moaning about the details."

And besides, the skiing is all going to be on tape (yes, even on the east coast), so I think live hockey trumps hours-old skiing that most everyone is going to know the result of anyway.

So what if its live or tape? Its all about the competition.Todays society is so focused on the "right now" of cell phones,twits and blogs it almost laughable.

[Hoosier205]

So what if its live or tape? Its all about the competition.Todays society is so focused on the "right now" of cell phones,twits and blogs it almost laughable.

...I don't even know how to respond to this comment. So what if it's live or tape? Yikes!

[bagreene]

So what if its live or tape? Its all about the competition.Todays society is so focused on the "right now" of cell phones,twits and blogs it almost laughable.

The problem is that it can be quite a hassle to not catch highlights/results on the internet, radio, other TV stations besides NBC, etc. etc.

I don't necessarily mind the delay. I just don't like having to do a song and dance to avoid seeing any spoilers.

[bnwrx]

...I don't even know how to respond to this comment. So what if it's live or tape? Yikes!

But you did.....

[Hoosier205]

But you did.....

I didn't want you to feel ignored on the island of tape delayed sports broadcasts.

[bnwrx]

I didn't want you to feel ignored on the island of tape delayed sports broadcasts.

I won't be alone, anyone watching in primetime or on the West coast will be on the "Island" with me. Anyone watching thru their DVR most likely is also watching it on the "Island" with me. Despite the delay I'll enjoy the view, thats all I'm saying. I wish I could be there like some of my friends, but lacking that I'll settle for the next best option, watching on TV.

[VHS or Beta]

Not having one of the key games of the entire olympics NOT IN HD when you are supposedly the HD leader is not just "moaning about the details."

And this is why I'll be switching to FiOS. They've had their problems with MSNBC too, but at least they came through and added the channel in HD for everyone in time for the Olympics.

[sdk009]

Well, technically it isn't the national sport. Lacrosse was the national sport. In 1994, a bill was introduced to declare hockey as Canada's national sport. The bill (Bill C-212) was widely opposed and later amended to become law stating, "To recognize hockey as Canada's National Winter Sport and lacrosse as Canada's National Summer Sport."

I will re-consider my statement when we in the US can see "Lacrosse Night in Canada" every Saturday during lacrosse season.

[Eksynyt]

Wow, excellent coverage of ski jumping, NBC. We were unable to watch it live, so you throw us some bush league mashup of the coverage from this morning.

I love how they paid so much money for the olympics yet refuse to show us the events.

[Bob Coxner]

Did anyone else catch Mike Wilbon on Pardon the Interruption today? He was slamming DirecTV for not showing hockey in HD on MSNBC.

[Maleman]

Which is why I plan to supplement my viewing choices by watching CTV.

Me to. Thank god. This Directv/NBC thing looks awfully messy for trying to view coverage LIVE or delayed. :eek2:

This is my first year with Direct BUT I am quite suprised that an event of this magnitude isn't shown LIVE. Looks like most things are delayed? Very confusing.

[Unknown]

Me to. Thank god. This Directv/NBC thing looks awfully messy for trying to view coverage LIVE or delayed. :eek2:

This is my first year with Direct BUT I am quite suprised that an event of this magnitude isn't shown LIVE. Looks like most things are delayed? Very confusing.

Most are live in the Eastern and central time zone. it tape delay in the western time zone.

[Maleman]

Most are live in the Eastern and central time zone. it tape delay in the western time zone.

One word to NBC and Directv, "nasty" , I hate NBC.

[n3ntj]

I find the fact that D* hasn't added MSNBC HD for the Olympics as very disappointing.

[boukengreen]

way to go nbc in only showing 4 jumps your bejing coverage was way better at least then i could watch all events LIVE online

[wilbur_the_goose]

Did you catch Pardon the Interruption on ESPN tonight? Wilbon was complaining about D* not having all the NBC Olympic coverage in HD.

[Hoosier205]

I can only think of one word to describe the opening ceremonies occurring in Vancouver: lackluster

[Hoosier205]

The snowboarder was...lame.

[DawgLink]

My hope is that NBC streams more and more of their events live AND has good highlight videos because I doubt I will watch much live on TV

Nothing really interests me to be honest

[tonyd79]

I can only think of one word to describe the opening ceremonies occurring in Vancouver: lackluster

Uh...spoilers? This is largely a DVR community.

[Hoosier205]

Uh...spoilers? This is largely a DVR community.

It's a live event. I'm not avoiding spoilers for this anymore than I would a race, a football game, or anything else like that. Anyone who wants to record it and watch it later should avoid a thread on this topic while the event is happening. Besides, it's not like the outcome is in question. It's a ceremony.

[JoeTheDragon]

Did you catch Pardon the Interruption on ESPN tonight? Wilbon was complaining about D* not having all the NBC Olympic coverage in HD.

Comcast Chicagoland does not have msnbc hd and still many parts of Chicago land still have a big analog line up and will not have much more HD room for 3-5 more months.

Parts of the area make you get sports pack for speed as well.

[Hoosier205]

The atheletes are being introduce. I know they have a lot to live up to after Beijing, but I expected something more than this so far. We'll see if it picks up.

[tonyd79]

It's a live event. I'm not avoiding spoilers for this anymore than I would a race, a football game, or anything else like that. Anyone who wants to record it and watch it later should avoid a thread on this topic while the event is happening. Besides, it's not like the outcome is in question. It's a ceremony.

This thread was NOT about live events but about the coverage. The topic does not have a spoiler tag and it is pretty rude to not care if you announce something that someone is not watching live.

Oh, and LIVE and NBC Olympics never belong in the same sentence anyway. I watch almost EVERYTHING delayed so I can avoid COMMERCIALS.

Finally, since they kept the ceremony secret, then, yes the outcome is in question.

[ajc68]

The atheletes are being introduce. I know they have a lot to live up to after Beijing, but I expected something more than this so far. We'll see if it picks up.

It won't. They said they didn't have the budget to put on that kind of show.

[Hoosier205]

This thread was NOT about live events but about the coverage. The topic does not have a spoiler tag and it is pretty rude to not care if you announce something that someone is not watching live.

Oh, and LIVE and NBC Olympics never belong in the same sentence anyway. I watch almost EVERYTHING delayed so I can avoid COMMERCIALS.

Finally, since they kept the ceremony secret, then, yes the outcome is in question.

I'm not using spoiler tags. There is no reason to use spoiler tags. AVSforum moderators are the the ultimate in spoiler tag enforcement and you won't find a single one in a thread on this very same topic. It's a freakin' ceremony. Get over it. If YOU don't want to read this...don't read this thread. It really is very simple.

[Araxen]

This would be better if it was outside, imho.

[sonofjay]

It won't. They said they didn't have the budget to put on that kind of show.

Where was that posted? I read the budget wasn't an issue at all but that it was deemed as silly turn the opening ceremony into a "competition" I'm not sure any event will top the Beijing ceremony for a very very long time, if at all. And the Winter Olympics won't be where it happens if it does, regardless of host nation.

So far (I am taped delayed) the ceremony looks great. If NBC would pull it's head out of it's ass and show all these events live then things would get even better tomorrow. Foolish, 4-5 networks to use for live events yet they choose to continue to tape delay.


And DirecTV not having MSNBC. USA vs Canada in Hockey in SD. Absolutely awful.

[Hoosier205]

This would be better if it was outside, imho.

Absolutely. Unfortunately, this is a rather rainy time of year for Vancouver.

[sonofjay]

This would be better if it was outside, imho.

I understand Vancouver is similar to Seattle with the weather they receive. It's raining there now. Not sure how a rainy opening ceremony would go over. If they moved inland maybe outdoor would have been possible, I don't know. Assuming an appropriate venue existed

[TheRatPatrol]

Sorry if this has been asked already, but is D* going to remap the Olympic channels to the 700's so they're all in line with each other?

Thanks

[MIKE7314]

bell tv has 5hd feeds commercial free :D

[Ed Campbell]

All the whiners are indoors, too, I see.

[Hoosier205]

Oh my gosh...technical difficulties at the absolute worst possible moment.

[beachmonkey]

Oh my gosh...technical difficulties at the absolute worst possible moment.

Olympic Cauldron looks like three joints leaning up against some sort of weird bong :rolleyes:

[Hoosier205]

Olympic Cauldron looks like three joints leaning up against some sort of weird bong :rolleyes:
:lol:

[beachmonkey]

Olympic Cauldron looks like three joints leaning up against some sort of weird bong :rolleyes:

either that or.. a cross between an erectile dysfunction and Superman's Fortress of Solitude

:heybaby:

[abooch]

I really can't believe the bronze medal game won't be in HD for us D* people...

[ajc68]

Where was that posted? I read the budget wasn't an issue at all but that it was deemed as silly turn the opening ceremony into a "competition".

It was mentioned on the broadcast, and I also heard it discussed on national radio earlier in the day. They chose not to spend $300-400M like Beijing, and they did a fantastic job (other than the unfortunate ending) on a $35-40M budget.

[bwaldron]

bell tv has 5hd feeds commercial free :D

Looks good via Shaw Direct as well. Can't really do Bell in Florida these days.

[hdtvfan0001]

Did you catch Pardon the Interruption on ESPN tonight? Wilbon was complaining about D* not having all the NBC Olympic coverage in HD.
He is so out of touch with reality, it makes me wonder what medication he's on. His rants are frequently so bizzare he get's called on it by his partner.

He's turned the fact of 1 of the multiple channels not being in HD (MSNBC) into ALL the channels in his statement. Surprised he doesn't post as a troll here on DBSTalk. :D

As for the coverage...I thought it was well done for the most part. The surround audio was particularly nice in many parts.

[bnwrx]

It was mentioned on the broadcast, and I also heard it discussed on national radio earlier in the day. They chose not to spend $300-400M like Beijing, and they did a fantastic job (other than the unfortunate ending) on a $35-40M budget.

Much better use of funds,since they don't have slave labor.

[leww37334]

He is so out of touch with reality, it makes me wonder what medication he's on. His rants are frequently so bizzare he get's called on it by his partner.

He's turned the fact of 1 of the multiple channels not being in HD (MSNBC) into ALL the channels in his statement. Surprised he doesn't post as a troll here on DBSTalk. :D

As for the coverage...I thought it was well done for the most part. The surround audio was particularly nice in many parts.

very nice ad hominem attack, totally turns the subject away from the argument by attacking the person rather than his premise. Nicely done. You get the Directv Fanboy of the day award.

[QuickDrop]

He is so out of touch with reality, it makes me wonder what medication he's on. His rants are frequently so bizzare he get's called on it by his partner.

He's turned the fact of 1 of the multiple channels not being in HD (MSNBC) into ALL the channels in his statement. Surprised he doesn't post as a troll here on DBSTalk. :D

As for the coverage...I thought it was well done for the most part. The surround audio was particularly nice in many parts.

Wilbon only said MSNBC wasn't in HD, though the poster's summary of "not all" still doesn't translate into "not any." Kornheiser is fun, but Wilbon is the one who still actually watches, covers, and reports on sports as his job. Kornheiser just coasts on his reputation and sarcasm.

[hdtvfan0001]

Wilbon only said MSNBC wasn't in HD, though the poster's summary of "not all" still doesn't translate into "not any."
I've watched those two guys for years now, and their whole "schtick" is to blow things out of proportion.

[JoeTheDragon]

I really can't believe the bronze medal game won't be in HD for us D* people...

same thing for alot of cable people as well.

why can't they move it to usa that just about all systems have in HD or CNBC that more system have in HD as well.

[Red Dog]

Wilbon only said MSNBC wasn't in HD, though the poster's summary of "not all" still doesn't translate into "not any."

Yep. I loved his comment about NBC = The Lifetime Network for Women. :lol:

[hdtvfan0001]

Yep. I loved his comment about NBC = The Lifetime Network for Women. :lol:
Lifetime is already a "girlie" channel...so the statement is redundant.

If he said "Lifetime Network for Men"...that might make some sense.

But coming back to the topic of the thread....

Broadcasting resumes at 2PM EST today. Wonder how much coverage will be kept on Direct on Demand...

[fifa1234@gmail.com]

I really want to watch everything on HD.

[hdtvfan0001]

I really want to watch everything on HD.
So do we all...;)

They seemed to have missed the boat with 1 channel not in place.

[bnwrx]

Mens downhill postponed, rain and slush.
This could take a while.

[Sixto]

So do we all...;)

They seemed to have missed the boat with 1 channel not in place.The Mix channel is the real surprise.

[hdtvfan0001]

The Mix channel is the real surprise.
Sunday Ticket GameMix screen Redux...:lol:

[Sixto]

Sunday Ticket GameMix screen Redux...:lol:MLBEI HD Mix had conflict with NFL HD Mix, and also shares with UEFA HD Mix. UEFA has some matches coming up which I thought might be the issue, but don't see 136/137 being used for it (yet).

[hdtvfan0001]

MLBEI HD Mix had conflict with NFL HD Mix, and also shares with UEFA HD Mix. UEFA has some matches coming up which I thought might be the issue, but don't see 136/137 being used for it (yet).
Thanks for the update and insight. :)

Hopefully the next LTE is "0", and we have a pretty graph that shows the Eagle has landed (at 76). :D

[Hoosier205]

What's the story on the mix channel? Are we not getting one?

[SirJW]

Just to be clear there is no mix channel or UniSports? If this is wrong what channels are they on?

[SirJW]

Here is a quick guide for you. Just add zip and carrier.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv-listings

[bnwrx]

What's the story on the mix channel? Are we not getting one?

They are just using the regular "Sports Mix" channel, but have added a "red" button option for more info. No dedicated, "Olympics only" mix channel. :nono:

[gquiring]

Verizon FIOS managed to add MSNBC-HD in time for the Olympics in my area. Why can't D* pull this off?

http://www.multichannel.com/article/448911-MSNBC_HD_Now_On_FiOS_TV_Lineups_In_Cablevision_Ter ritories.php

[texasmoose]

They are just using the regular "Sports Mix" channel, but have added a "red" button option for more info. No dedicated, "Olympics only" mix channel. :nono:

+1

[Paul Secic]

Simple enough. Winter Olympics is smaller than summer, makes scheduling easier.

And boring... I like the Summer games better.

[BusterC417]

The NBC channels are not showing up on my Sports Mix Channels. Is there a way to change what channels show up?

[soloredd]

Hold on...DirecTV, on their website, has been advertising the Olympic Mix Channel for the past month, and being available on 2/12. Now, it's the 13th and there is a hockey game on CNBCHD yet the Mix Channel is nowhere to be seen. It's the regular sports mix channel and it even says "Tune to NBC for the best Olympics coverage". WTF??? :mad:

I don't care what your personal views of the Winter/Summer Games are, this is a clusterduck by DirecTV.

[DMRI2006]

I don't care what your personal views of the Winter/Summer Games are, this is a clusterduck by DirecTV.

It absolutely is. We'll be talking about this for years to come unfortunately.

The only defenders here seem to be people who don't care. Which is fine -- but more people do care than don't. Only the staunchest fanboys can defend how they've dropped the ball on these Olympics.

No MSNBC HD, no Universal Sports, no Mix Channel = fail.

The "sports leader" is falling well behind the pack...

[sportshermit]

It absolutely is. We'll be talking about this for years to come unfortunately.

The only defenders here seem to be people who don't care. Which is fine -- but more people do care than don't. Only the staunchest fanboys can defend how they've dropped the ball on these Olympics.

No MSNBC HD, no Universal Sports, no Mix Channel = fail.

The "sports leader" is falling well behind the pack...


I agree 100% about the failure. It's even harder to take when DISH seems to have what I want.

Versus by the Tour in July or I"m a Dish owner.

[Unknown]

If you check the sports mix channel on 104 and 205. they have channel 355 CNBC listed there.

[BusterC417]

Thanks Unknown, looks like CNBC just showed up. Maybe tehy will actually turn the rest on.

[sigma1914]

Thanks Unknown, looks like CNBC just showed up. Maybe tehy will actually turn the rest on.

They might when some coverage is on the others.

[Coca Cola Kid]

No MSNBC HD, no Universal Sports, no Mix Channel = fail.

The "sports leader" is falling well behind the pack...

EPIC Fail

[sonofjay]

It was mentioned on the broadcast, and I also heard it discussed on national radio earlier in the day. They chose not to spend $300-400M like Beijing, and they did a fantastic job (other than the unfortunate ending) on a $35-40M budget.

Thanks for the info. I agree. A well done show.

And personally, I see the Winter Olympics as anything but boring. Ski aerials, downhill, bobsledding, Men's/Women's hockey rock. Hell, even cross-country, biathlon and curling are great. What typically sucks is NBC's lack of live coverage. Edited down summary's and ESPN SportsDesk like clips just don't do it. With 4-5 networks at their disposal there is not reason not to have all the events live. Cover sports LIVE with the drama and the spirit of competition and stop spending 1/4 of your coverage time on the 4-5 US athletes that are favored to medal. The games are much more than that.

And a BIG thumbs down to DirecTV for no MSNBC-HD. Awful.

[inkahauts]

Thanks for the info. I agree. A well done show.

And personally, I see the Winter Olympics as anything but boring. Ski aerials, downhill, bobsledding, Men's/Women's hockey rock. Hell, even cross-country, biathlon and curling are great. What typically sucks is NBC's lack of live coverage. Edited down summary's and ESPN SportsDesk like clips just don't do it. With 4-5 networks at their disposal there is not reason not to have all the events live. Cover sports LIVE with the drama and the spirit of competition and stop spending 1/4 of your coverage time on the 4-5 US athletes that are favored to medal. The games are much more than that.

And a BIG thumbs down to DirecTV for no MSNBC-HD. Awful.

Shameful that NBC sin;t showing the Olympics 24x7 on NBC and carrying most things live in hd, rather than using it to try and pump up its ratings on msnbc when most people can;t get that in hd anyway.... I wish they would show the Olympics more like the show golf... Always going to the next person that is actually doing something, instead of just sitting on one event at a time.. This wouldn't work for all sports, like hockey, but it would for others...

And man, why can;t they keep it consistnat too.. Don;t show the same sport across multiple channels unless there is some real logic to it... it seems very scattered the way it is now.

[ffemtreed]

rather than using it to try and pump up its ratings on msnbc when most people can;t get that in hd anyway....

Most people can get it in HD. Just not DTV customers.

[sigma1914]

Most people can get it in HD. Just not DTV customers.

No one in Dallas/Ftw get it in HD on TWC. A large area around Chicago doesn't get it in HD on Comcast. That's just 2 highly populated areas.

[JoeTheDragon]

Why can't they move it to CNBC HD that most cable and sat user have.

[JoeTheDragon]

No one in Dallas/Ftw get it in HD on TWC. A large area around Chicago doesn't get it in HD on Comcast. That's just 2 highly populated areas.

more like the FULL chiagoland area does not have it and HD net is city of only still. Also they cost most then direct tv.

[dvdmth]

Most people can get it in HD. Just not DTV customers.

Here in Denver, Comcast does not have MSNBC, CNBC, or USA in HD. Just KUSA-DT (NBC) and Universal HD. Further, MSNBC (SD) requires a digital package to receive.

[TheRatPatrol]

Don't some local NBC stations carry Universal Sports on a subchannel?

[Maruuk]

"Saying something 'Jumped the Shark'."

No, what really jumped the Shark is anybody revealing their sub-21 juvenile status by attacking common phrases for their lack of "cool" rather than content the way an adult would.

And what also jumped the shark was the IOC that attacked the luger for dying rather than notice they were sending poorly-trained kids down a death run. These smug fatcats have lost all touch with reality. And now they're going to be looking at one of the largest single-victim wrongful death lawsuits in history.

[bnwrx]

"Saying something 'Jumped the Shark'."



And what also jumped the shark was the IOC that attacked the luger for dying rather than notice they were sending poorly-trained kids down a death run. These smug fatcats have lost all touch with reality. And now they're going to be looking at one of the largest single-victim wrongful death lawsuits in history.

Agreed, saw the "remedy" they came up with. Plywood wall with just 2x6s for support and 1" foam pads around the steel posts. They use much thicker pads around ski lift towers and they are not much protection(I know I hit one once). Can't believe that this wasn't thought of before this weekend.

[Maruuk]

Yeah, the key is not padding at all, but controlling deceleration. That's why safe luge and bobsled runs have open space outside the walls of the track segments at and after the turns--the places an ejection are most likely to happen--and then hay bales or appropriate large but relatively soft impact-absorbing elements at the periphery of the landing space. Such that the athlete and their sled land, slide, slow and then impact the bales to achieve maximum spread of the deceleration. This is the same thinking behind motorcycle race turns. The guy steps off at speed, slides, and then impacts the bales after he's slowed some. They generally walk away from those, even though they look scary.

Decelerating a head on a fixed vertical stanchion mere feet from an ejection danger zone, whether padded or not, is a death sentence at 90mph. It's inconceivable that a responsible builder/architect would design a track in that manner: a whole line of immovable vertical posts only 10' apart a few feet from the track edge guaranteeing a serious or fatal impact if an athlete hits one of them. It borders on insanity. May as well have installed spinning abattoir blades atop the track walls. Death Luge 3000 indeed.

[Mark L]

Well once again NBC has screwed the West Coast!

I am so sick of this crap, thank God for SlingBox.

I freaking hate the FCC and freaking NBC for their stupid tape delays!

We are living in a controlled environment, free market my ass! If it was free market, we could watch any stream we chose: may it be U.S., Canadian, British, etc.

But NBC knows they'd lose precious ratings and wouldn't be able to sell their stupid advertising, which I mute and look away from the TV anyways.

Ughhh I am pissed right now!

I have to find out Ohno wins silver via Twitter, thanks NBC!

[DawgLink]

Yea, in today's world of twitter/rss....I am surprised they think that would work

[Visman]

On the 1st full day of competition, NBC Prime time whet over 1\2 hour. If NBC would cut out half the commercials and the BS that would not have to happen. NBC just show the game and cut out all the BS. If you can't let a different network take over because they can do a better job that you can!!!

[Mark L]

On the 1st full day of competition, NBC Prime time whet over 1\2 hour. If NBC would cut out half the commercials and the BS that would not have to happen. NBC just show the game and cut out all the BS. If you can't let a different network take over because they can do a better job that you can!!!

Totally agree. I could care less about the sob stories and all that, I just want to see action, I hope the world of television changes dramatically in the near future. Such as letting us choose what type of advertising we'd like to see and edit out what we don't want to see: AT&T Luke Wilson would be #1 to be axed on my list!

[Davenlr]

Dont feel to bad, DirecTv dropped our local NBC affiliate due to technical issues. Thank God for antennas and OTA receivers.

[trackmannn]

On the 1st full day of competition, NBC Prime time whet over 1\2 hour. If NBC would cut out half the commercials and the BS that would not have to happen. NBC just show the game and cut out all the BS. If you can't let a different network take over because they can do a better job that you can!!!

Huh? NBC prime Olympics ended right on time. Maybe you had a few too many glasses of wine tonight?

[pablo]

I'vw found a great alternative to NBC's pitiful coverage of this great event, NBC's own NBCOlympics.com:

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/live-full-replays.html

And it's all in HD, too.

[bnwrx]

Huh? NBC prime Olympics ended right on time. Maybe you had a few too many glasses of wine tonight?

In the Colorado Springs area it ended after 11pm, scheduled for 10:30pm. About 30min over.

[bb37]

Don't some local NBC stations carry Universal Sports on a subchannel?
Yes. WTHR 13 in Indianapolis carries Universal Sports on their 13.3 subchannel. It's compressed 480i, of course. Not the best for viewing action sports.

I thought I'd be clever this evening and switch back and forth between the regular NBC coverage on 13.1 and the Universal Sports coverage on 13.3. At one point, 13.1 went to commercial so I switched to 13.3. They went to commercial at about the same time. Arrgggghhhh!!!

[raott]

very nice ad hominem attack, totally turns the subject away from the argument by attacking the person rather than his premise. Nicely done. You get the Directv Fanboy of the day award.


nm

[hdtvfan0001]

very nice ad hominem attack, totally turns the subject away from the argument by attacking the person rather than his premise. Nicely done.
Yes...the guy on TV stated MSNBC HD, but in the context of the discussion, it came across as a slam in general about the HD coverage. I disagreed with the TV speaker's delivery of that message.

While we disagree, I respect your alternative view.

Back to the actual thread topic....

Last night's coverage was overall pretty good - it was nice to see the post-win interviews with both U.S. speedskater medalists and Mogul skier gold medal winner. The bronze medal winner in the speedskating was the biggest surprised, considering the injury he suffered back at the September qualifying runs. A nice background piece done there.

The only downside is that the background audio on the speedskating was louder than the announcer in several parts.

[bb37]

The only downside is that the background audio on the speedskating was louder than the announcer in several parts.
I noticed that, too, and kept fiddling with the settings on my Sony sound bar to make the announcers more understandable. Didn't have much luck.

I watched a couple of early heat races in short track skating and watched the finals of the women's moguls. I could have done without the cutaways to Bob Costas and Brian Williams. I kept waiting for Mr. Williams to bring up the old quote attributed to Ernest Hemmingway...The one about bullfighting, mountain climbing, and motor racing being the only real sports...the rest are merely games. Most people don't think of luge racers as being daredevils, but I think Mr. Williams got the point across that some of these sports in the winter games are pretty dangerous.

[hdtvfan0001]

I noticed that, too, and kept fiddling with the settings on my Sony sound bar to make the announcers more understandable. Didn't have much luck.

I watched a couple of early heat races in short track skating and watched the finals of the women's moguls. I could have done without the cutaways to Bob Costas and Brian Williams. I kept waiting for Mr. Williams to bring up the old quote attributed to Ernest Hemmingway...The one about bullfighting, mountain climbing, and motor racing being the only real sports...the rest are merely games. Most people don't think of luge racers as being daredevils, but I think Mr. Williams got the point across that some of these sports in the winter games are pretty dangerous.
Indeed - my own bones were aching a bit watching that clip on the falls, crashes, cuts, and bumps by winter Olympic athletes. Ouch.

[bamarolltide13]

The USA Women's Hockey game is on USA today and right now my USA here in Chicago is blacked out and I am getting a message stating that I can buy the program that is on now for 5.99. Also, CNBCHD is showing A&EHD instead of what it is supposed to have on. I am on hold with D* now trying to figure out what is going on.

[bwaldron]

No MSNBC HD, no Universal Sports, no Mix Channel = fail.

The "sports leader" is falling well behind the pack...

I regretfully agree.

[JoeTheDragon]

The USA Women's Hockey game is on USA today and right now my USA here in Chicago is blacked out and I am getting a message stating that I can buy the program that is on now for 5.99. Also, CNBCHD is showing A&EHD instead of what it is supposed to have on. I am on hold with D* now trying to figure out what is going on.
That may be a per view of 2012 if comcast buys NBC and try to make the 2012 games ppv.

but that does not seem right you some times see that 5.99 thing on RSN over flows as they use PPV bandwidth for the part time games but on a main channel?

IS d* adding channels / moving stuff around?

[bnwrx]

The USA Women's Hockey game is on USA today and right now my USA here in Chicago is blacked out and I am getting a message stating that I can buy the program that is on now for 5.99. Also, CNBCHD is showing A&EHD instead of what it is supposed to have on. I am on hold with D* now trying to figure out what is going on.

All is fine here on my system(Colorado)

[soloredd]

Well once again NBC has screwed the West Coast!

I am so sick of this crap, thank God for SlingBox.

I freaking hate the FCC and freaking NBC for their stupid tape delays!

We are living in a controlled environment, free market my ass! If it was free market, we could watch any stream we chose: may it be U.S., Canadian, British, etc.

But NBC knows they'd lose precious ratings and wouldn't be able to sell their stupid advertising, which I mute and look away from the TV anyways.

Ughhh I am pissed right now!

I have to find out Ohno wins silver via Twitter, thanks NBC!

Tape delay is so 1980s. Reminds me of the old NBA games that were taped and then shown on the weekend! I'm willing to bet that in this day and age if NBC broadcasted the entire thing LIVE to the entire country it would get better ratings. Right now I can go on Twitter/Facebook/etc. and find out who won and not even have to turn to NBC.

But, this is NBC we are talking about. No forward thinking at all.

[majikmarker]

For me, the closer the Games are to me, the more I absolutely hate the lack of live coverage (I live 100 miles from Vancouver). I sent an email to NBC this morning to explain how much I dislike their coverage so far.

No crazy threats about boycotts or how I will never watch a minute more of their coverage, just how much I disliked what I had seen so far and how I was actually losing interest in the Vancouver games, not the other way around.

I received the following:

"Because you've got opinions...

You're Invited To Become a Member of Our Contemporary Consumers Advisory Panel"

I am fully aware that email complaints are really more for venting and I did not expect any meaningful response but a canned response with an offer to join some focus group is, for me, worse than no response at all.

[Visman]

Were you watching it in the Mountain or West Coast feeds, because if you were NBC can edit the programing to end it on time.

[homebase]

But, this is NBC we are talking about. No forward thinking at all.

We're talking a Zucker-run NBC since 2000. The last decade has been a train wreck with him at the helm. Between him & Steve Ballmer, I don't know who is a more inept, can't chew-gum-and-walk leader.

Still can't find any Olympics Mix channel. :(

[ajc68]

I joined D* in 1999 because they were the sports leader (and had a better picture than cable). Up until about a year ago, D* had been a service that I bragged about and insisted that my friends or total strangers get (both for sports and then HD). I no longer recommend D* to people, nor do I even jump into a conversation and put in my $.02. I wish a new sports leader would emerge, because I'm not pleased with where this train is headed. This has nothing to do with D12; it has to do with a new direction the company is headed in (a crappy one). A disturbing trend has developed in a short period of time. No Olympic mix channel or MSNBC HD are further evidence D* no longer considers sports a priority. See ESPNU HD, WGN HD, Versus, CSN NW, NFL RedZone Channel, etc. for further evidence. D* is resting on its laurels rather than being progressive. The same can be said for the lack of new HD nationals the past two years. Please, somebody buy this company and fix it before it completely goes down the drain, it's starting to circle it.

[Maruuk]

Like a lot of folks, I don't watch anything in realtime anyways so it sucks to have artificial delays but the toughest part is trying to avoid getting spoilerized while you're waiting. Last night just on the way to the store the butthole on the radio comes on and with zero warning blurts out: "Ohno takes silver!!!" Usually I can bang the radio off in .5 seconds when I hear the Olympics setup but not when they punkzap you like that. That ruined the entire event for later.

[Maruuk]

The same NBC that totally botched the Leno/Conan deal. And has no viable replacements for the Leno 10pm spot. If we all ran our businesses/jobs the way NBC does, we'd be out on our butts in a matter of hours. I guess TOO BIG TO FAIL applies to nutwerx too.

[bobnielsen]

I'm also disappointed with the delayed coverage. I thought that the Sport Mix channel might show the East feed, but haven't seen any Olympics broadcasts there yet.

NBC has a track record of striking out, however. Prior to the 1964 Olympics, NASA funded Hughes to modify the Syncom 3 satellite to have enough bandwidth to broadcast a compressed video feed. NBC only used it to carry the opening ceremonies, but they were tape-delayed on the west coast, so as not to compete with the Tonight Show. It was carried at 1 a.m., as I recall. For the rest of the Olympics, they used tapes which were flown from Japan to the U.S. (the satellite was used for some bits on the new programs of other networks).

[LarryFlowers]

... And has no viable replacements for the Leno 10pm spot..

Actually, that problem has been resolved and several weeks ago. NBC took most of their major (for them) 1 hr dramas and immediately placed orders for additional episodes to make up for the ones they would burn off in Leno's time slot.

[TheRatPatrol]

Is it me or is there not much on the other NBC channels right now? I saw where the USA womens hockey team was on USA/242, but that was only a half hour thing. Maybe thats why theres no mix channel?

[n3ntj]

Looking at the schedule, it looks like there will be a bit of hockey and curling (the 2 sports I want to watch) on USA and CNBC HD, and less on MSNBC. I will be PO'd once MSNBC shows hockey or curling that I can't get in HD.

D* pulled a big boner by not picking up MSNBC HD before the Olympics started.

[bnwrx]

It looks like the mix channel puts USA or CNBC "in the mix" when those channels actually have Olympic coverage. The USA womens hockey game was shown in its entirety today on USA(242). When it was being aired, it did show up on the mix channel.

[wolfjc]

And DirecTV not having MSNBC. USA vs Canada in Hockey in SD. Absolutely awful.

I don't know about Direct but I do know that Dish has MSNBC in HD.
Here is the reason the NBC gave for putting hockey on MSNBC instead of NBC main.

According to the network, there are three major sporting events that have more female viewers than male viewers: the Kentucky Derby, the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. Turning three hours of prime-time coverage on the East Coast over to a hockey game isn't exactly catnip to those casual female viewers, despite Sidney Crosby's(notes) pouty lips.

[n3ntj]

Looking at the TV sked on nbcolympics.com looking for men's hockey:

I see USA plays Switzerland on Tues @ noon and USA plays Norway Thurs @ noon, although it shows the games on USA HD at 3pm both days. Is USA Network not showing these games live? Looks like curling will be interspersed during this time too.

US vs. Canada play next Sunday @ 4:40pm although I don't see it listed as being televised on any of the NBC family of channels. Tell me I am wrong.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv-listings/zone=ET/day=10/time=960/index.html

[Unknown]

Looking at the TV sked on nbcolympics.com looking for men's hockey:

I see USA plays Switzerland on Tues @ noon and USA plays Norway Thurs @ noon, although it shows the games on USA HD at 3pm both days. Is USA Network not showing these games live? Looks like curling will be interspersed during this time too.

US vs. Canada play next Sunday @ 4:40pm although I don't see it listed as being televised on any of the NBC family of channels. Tell me I am wrong.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv-listings/zone=ET/day=10/time=960/index.html

USA vs Canada is be shown on MSNBC SD only no HD.

[sonofjay]

I don't know about Direct but I do know that Dish has MSNBC in HD.
Here is the reason the NBC gave for putting hockey on MSNBC instead of NBC main.

According to the network, there are three major sporting events that have more female viewers than male viewers: the Kentucky Derby, the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. Turning three hours of prime-time coverage on the East Coast over to a hockey game isn't exactly catnip to those casual female viewers, despite Sidney Crosby's(notes) pouty lips.

Although NBC's Olympic coverage is terrible. Not having MSNBC-HD is on DirecTV. There is no issue NBC putting the game on MSNBC. The issue is DirecTV not having the channel in HD.

[chuckaluck]

Looking at the TV sked on nbcolympics.com looking for men's hockey:

I see USA plays Switzerland on Tues @ noon and USA plays Norway Thurs @ noon, although it shows the games on USA HD at 3pm both days. Is USA Network not showing these games live? Looks like curling will be interspersed during this time too.

US vs. Canada play next Sunday @ 4:40pm although I don't see it listed as being televised on any of the NBC family of channels. Tell me I am wrong.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv-listings/zone=ET/day=10/time=960/index.html

These should all be live. As an example, the noon is local time (Vancouver) while 3 pm is EST. The games are generally on at 3 pm, 730 pm and midnight EST.