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I'm not quite sure I understand everyones frustration. Why don't people just watch whatever events they want whenever they want online (it's all available there

I'm not quite sure I understand everyones frustration. Why don't people just watch whatever events they want whenever they want online (it's all available there for free and with fewer commercials).

mkinsella 17y ago
Because watching it on my computer isn't nearly as easy (stuttering, finding URLs, downloading players), convenient, relaxing, or high quality as sitting on my couch while watching an HD broadcast on my 50" LCD.
- silverpen 17y ago
  Easy, convenient: In the past I would have agreed with you. But by far, this year's olympics online broadcast has been very well managed. High quality with little to no stuttering (even for live events), content well organized and timely (replay of complete event available only minutes after they are complete). As for the couch and large TV aspect, I suppose I would have to agree with you.
Sukotto 17y ago
My family doesn't own a tv. For the Summer Olympics there was lots of official online content. The winter games? ... not so much. Sure there are lots of official stats out there, but I was unable to find the figure skating for my wife. In the end, she was reduced to watching it in Greek (we think) on a tiny Justintv station. NBC paid a lot of money to secure coverage of the games. I wish they had put more effort into making them actually available to people.
- silverpen 17y ago
  Is http://www.ctvolympics.ca/video/index.html http://www.ctvolympics.ca/video/index.html available to those outside of Canada? Because CTV (Canadian company with broadcasting rights to the olympics) really did an excellent job of presenting the olympics this year.
  - delackner 17y ago
    Trying that link from Tokyo, it doesn't mention access restrictions, but video also doesn't load. It just says it is experiencing loading difficulties. Market failure -> people will find a way.
  - Sukotto 17y ago
    Tried that. Didn't work. Video player spins forever with the message "we're experiencing temporary difficulty"

I'm not quite sure I understand everyones frustration. Why don't people just watch whatever events they want whenever they want online (it's all available there for free and with fewer commercials).

mkinsella 17y ago

Because watching it on my computer isn't nearly as easy (stuttering, finding URLs, downloading players), convenient, relaxing, or high quality as sitting on my couch while watching an HD broadcast on my 50" LCD.

silverpen 17y ago
Easy, convenient: In the past I would have agreed with you. But by far, this year's olympics online broadcast has been very well managed. High quality with little to no stuttering (even for live events), content well organized and timely (replay of complete event available only minutes after they are complete). As for the couch and large TV aspect, I suppose I would have to agree with you.

Sukotto 17y ago

My family doesn't own a tv. For the Summer Olympics there was lots of official online content. The winter games? ... not so much. Sure there are lots of official stats out there, but I was unable to find the figure skating for my wife. In the end, she was reduced to watching it in Greek (we think) on a tiny Justintv station. NBC paid a lot of money to secure coverage of the games. I wish they had put more effort into making them actually available to people.

silverpen 17y ago
Is http://www.ctvolympics.ca/video/index.html http://www.ctvolympics.ca/video/index.html available to those outside of Canada? Because CTV (Canadian company with broadcasting rights to the olympics) really did an excellent job of presenting the olympics this year.
- delackner 17y ago
  Trying that link from Tokyo, it doesn't mention access restrictions, but video also doesn't load. It just says it is experiencing loading difficulties. Market failure -> people will find a way.
- Sukotto 17y ago
  Tried that. Didn't work. Video player spins forever with the message "we're experiencing temporary difficulty"