Olympics coverage

[Chuckanut]

Well, we are now over 1/2 hour into coverage of the opening ceremonies and so far not even one minute of the ceremonies has been shown. Not so good.

 

[ERD50]

What is it I've been watching then?

I came in when Ireland was entering, then each country in alpha order. Then a lot of showy dancing, light shows, music. Isn't that part of the opening ceremonies?

PS I am embarrassed at our country's 'ugly holiday sweater' 'uniforms'. How could this be allowed?

-ERD50

 

[Meadbh]

Did the US networks delay the ceremonies by 12 hours? I watched parts of them early this morning on my iPad (CBC app).

I actually thought the US sweaters were kinda neat, in a funky grandmotherly way.

I am worried about the person whose job it was to ensure that all five snowflakes turned into Olympic Rings. He or she may be en route to the gulag right now.

It's already on a T shirt:

https://twitter.com/x/status/431857787488837633

 

[ERD50]

I'm just watching on OTA, not sure what delay they planned. Maybe OP is on another schedule?

Well, I guess I just don't think 'funky grandmotherly' is a good look for young athletes, but it's all subjective.

-ERD50

 

[pb4uski]

If you can get CBC, their coverage of Olympics is usually much better than NBC. NBC is too much fluff, not enough of the competition and is too US-centric IMO.

 

[TimSF]

When I tried to download a clip from the opening ceremonies on the NBCOlympics web site, an audible message informed me "This content is currently unavailable."

 

[Meadbh]

If you can get CBC, their coverage of Olympics is usually much better than NBC. NBC is too much fluff, not enough of the competition and is too US-centric IMO.

Can you get access to the CBC Sochi app in the US?

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/cbc-olympics/id791578992?mt=8

 

[Chuckanut]

Started watching the coverage at its 7:30 start and it took 40 minutes to get to the ceremonies. I guess I prefer actual events to interviews telling me how great the the actual events will be. I did enjoy the ceremonies once they started showing them.

I can't say I care for the sweaters. They remind me of entries in ugly Christmas sweater contests. Compare them to the Italian or French clothing.

 

[robnplunder]

I've been watching the show. So far, it's all about Russia's history. It must be great for Russian audience but I thought Olympic is about world unity. Oops, I need to wake up and smell the coffee.

 

[haha]

If I don't see anything else, I am very glad I saw and heard Anna Netrebko sing.

Ha

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Started watching the coverage at its 7:30 start and it took 40 minutes to get to the ceremonies. I guess I prefer actual events to interviews telling me how great the the actual events will be. I did enjoy the ceremonies once they started showing them.

It is American TV! They Have to draw it out (and everything else for that matter) so they can make as much money as they can from Advertising. Actual coverage is only secondary, simple really.

 

[Pleeplus]

I can't wait for the late night Bob Costas interviews as he sits in front of a roaring fire spewing some obscure stats like "athletes that flew to Sochi via Delta and ate a hot dog just before their event have won a metal 2 out of the last 3 Olympics" blah blah.....

Ok maybe I am just not a Bob Costas fan.....

 

[Htown Harry]

Bad sweaters, medal count reports, athlete hometown features and announcers yammering in front of a fireplace is a price I willingly pay for the chance to see the men's Olympic downhill every four years.

Coming Sunday night...a mountain of ice, a clock and athletes carrying heavy brass under their race suit.

Franz Klammer - 1976 Olympic Gold Medal Run - YouTube

 

[MichaelB]

The Olympics cost a lot of money to stage, TV rights are their largest single source of revenue, and US broadcast rights the single biggest piece. It is a huge expense for NBC, so while I don't always enjoy their scheduling or unique way of programming, I'm pleased it's there to enjoy and willing to give NBC some space to do it their way.

I think the Olympic Games are a blast and make high definition worth the cost.

 

[Htown Harry]

Here's a pretty amusing (snarky) review of each of the uniforms worn by the athletes in the opening ceremony.
2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony: Grading Each Country's Uniform | Bleacher Report

On the bright side, these uniforms can double as bowling league outfits...

The Philippines look like they got their outfits last night at North Face...

Bros, the poofy jackets? Really?

We absolutely love the fact Ireland decided to take time away from its paintball game to walk around the stadium...

He gave two of these an A and one a D. My scorecard had the opposite grades as his. To each his own...

 

[Midpack]

The Olympics cost a lot of money to stage, TV rights are their largest single source of revenue, and US broadcast rights the single biggest piece. It is a huge expense for NBC, so while I don't always enjoy their scheduling or unique way of programming, I'm pleased it's there to enjoy and willing to give NBC some space to do it their way.

I think the Olympic Games are a blast and make high definition worth the cost.

+1. I love watching the Olympics when they come around. I don't watch the opening or closing ceremonies (USA or any country), if something worthwhile happens, I'll see highlights. I want to see the competition, often in sports you never see outside the Olympics. Fun times...

Sweaters?

 

[Chuckanut]

I think the Olympic Games are a blast and make high definition worth the cost.

I agree and enjoy watching the events. As for HD? Well I get it free over the air and it is marvelous! Whenever, I see hi-def from a cable company, it's like there is something missing. Because, there is something missing.

 

[tulak]

NBC did a much better time this year with the opening ceremony. I remember in previous years that they'd cut out countries in the parade of nations, which was wrong. This year they resumed where they left off after commercials.

As for the ceremony, I thought it was well done. It must have been impressive to see in person.

Now for the fun part: competitions!

 

[Bestwifeever]

I've been watching the show. So far, it's all about Russia's history. It must be great for Russian audience but I thought Olympic is about world unity. Oops, I need to wake up and smell the coffee.

But the host country for every Olympics does this (and the broadcasters usually join in), and Russian history is all over the place so pretty interesting IMHO.

From today's sports section:

 

[Chuckanut]

Did NBC show the Russian police choir rocking out? I don't recall seeing it.

 

[mickeyd]

I have tried to avoid Olympic TV coverage for over 20 years or so. It seems to be on many stations so avoiding this boring, wasteful specticle is a chore at times. DW likes the skating, so it's on @ our place, but my eyes are not focused on it.

 

[braumeister]

Can you get access to the CBC Sochi app in the US?

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/cbc-olympics/id791578992?mt=8

Thanks for the tip, but unfortunately, no.
The US version of the iTunes store won't let me get it.

 

[haha]

If you can get CBC, their coverage of Olympics is usually much better than NBC. NBC is too much fluff, not enough of the competition and is too US-centric IMO.

Ever since I moved to Washington many years ago, I watch Olympics and some other things primarily on CBC.

When Al Michaels arrives on scene, my tv gets muted. Same with Bobby. But I even watch NFL muted most of the time, though I like Al Michaels and Chris Collingsworth for NFL. I leave the sound on for them.

Ha

 

[Htown Harry]

During the first weekend, my favorite was the very exciting last 10 minutes of the men's 30 km "skiathalon" cross-country race. At the finish, the top ten were separated by only about 15 seconds, the top four by only a second and a half.

I caught much of the men's luge, starting early in the morning and finishing on the late evening show. The men's downhill certain didn't disappoint.

My preference for the timed events grows stronger with every triple lutz...

 

[ronin]

USA just defeated Russia in hockey. 8th round of an overtime shoot-out. Very exciting. The Kings' Quick came up big as did Oshie.