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I would really like to see a free market in Olympics coverage, rather than the monopoly we are stuck with. I don't understand why we don't have as many channel

I would really like to see a free market in Olympics coverage, rather than the monopoly we are stuck with. I don't understand why we don't have as many channels with live coverage as there are simultaneous events. I would think that the Olympics group could make more money auctioning off each event's coverage rights freely, rather than negotiating for a huge payoff (per region) from a single huge network. It would certainly increase viewership and the customer experience. Having to watch a very limited set of events on tape delay, subject to some editorially milquetoast attempt at appeal to the lowest common denominator, is a disturbingly negligent delivery of quality goods. Improving the experience should pay off in spades in the long run, even if I'm too optimistic in my analysis so far. Produce something valuable for your customers. The current Olympics TV experience is a joke: Despite my love for winter sports, I am not engaged. I watched SNL's Best of Chris Farley last night on Netflix.

pedalpete 17y ago
I wouldn't be surprised if this was the last Olympics without web broadcasts, but as far as auctioning off each event individually, I think that would be a 'usability' nightmare for fans. Now, it is pretty simple. I want to see Olympics, go to NBC. In Canada we have about 5 channels that have the Olympics this year (maybe it's just in BC), and it is actually a bit annoying to have to figure out what channel is covering which events. In the past it has always been CBC I believe that had the Olympics. Now we've got CBC, CTV, SportsNet, APTN, a chinese version, OLN, I'm sure there are more. Is it bad form of me to mention that we have 5+ networks showing live Olympics while Americans are complaining about not being able to get one? :)
- Nwallins 17y ago
  > I think that would be a 'usability' nightmare for fans. Now, it is pretty simple. I want to see Olympics, go to NBC. Respectfully, I must disagree. Sure, you can go to NBC to see "the Olympics". That won't change in any case. However, instead of being stuck at Ice Dancing or Biathalon (or whatever), you could switch the channel to a live event that you want to watch. I envy your five channels. Here in Brooklyn, we have two: NBC and CNBC (Time Warner Cable).

pedalpete 17y ago

I wouldn't be surprised if this was the last Olympics without web broadcasts, but as far as auctioning off each event individually, I think that would be a 'usability' nightmare for fans. Now, it is pretty simple. I want to see Olympics, go to NBC. In Canada we have about 5 channels that have the Olympics this year (maybe it's just in BC), and it is actually a bit annoying to have to figure out what channel is covering which events. In the past it has always been CBC I believe that had the Olympics. Now we've got CBC, CTV, SportsNet, APTN, a chinese version, OLN, I'm sure there are more. Is it bad form of me to mention that we have 5+ networks showing live Olympics while Americans are complaining about not being able to get one? :)

Nwallins 17y ago
> I think that would be a 'usability' nightmare for fans. Now, it is pretty simple. I want to see Olympics, go to NBC. Respectfully, I must disagree. Sure, you can go to NBC to see "the Olympics". That won't change in any case. However, instead of being stuck at Ice Dancing or Biathalon (or whatever), you could switch the channel to a live event that you want to watch. I envy your five channels. Here in Brooklyn, we have two: NBC and CNBC (Time Warner Cable).