Rio 2016 Olympic Media Update

[AlexDS69]

So, I've been watching NBC's coverage of the US Olympic trials. As is the case with anything combining the Olympics and the Peacock Network, it's sickening, especially in the swimming coverage. I couldn't believe it - they were making the swimmers out to be these pure, holier than thou, humble do-gooders who deserve to win every gold medal in the pool because they are pure, holier than thou, humble do-gooders. "Katie Ledecky is so humble, and yet she's going to Stanford!" Ugh. Give me a break, Ambrose. Even Michael Phelps was portrayed as this god now that he has a son. The commentators are going to be insufferable come Rio. On the one hand, this is to be expected from NBC. On the other hand, it smacks of bad sports coverage.

[Quaker2001]

So, I've been watching NBC's coverage of the US Olympic trials. As is the case with anything combining the Olympics and the Peacock Network, it's sickening, especially in the swimming coverage. I couldn't believe it - they were making the swimmers out to be these pure, holier than thou, humble do-gooders who deserve to win every gold medal in the pool because they are pure, holier than thou, humble do-gooders. "Katie Ledecky is so humble, and yet she's going to Stanford!" Ugh. Give me a break, Ambrose. Even Michael Phelps was portrayed as this god now that he has a son. The commentators are going to be insufferable come Rio. On the one hand, this is to be expected from NBC. On the other hand, it smacks of bad sports coverage.

I don't think they've been that over the top. Of course they're rooting for Americans to win medals. It's better for ratings. But NBC and the Olympics hardly have the market cornered on turning athletes into holier than thou figures. Recall how the world treated Tiger Woods (before he became a pariah), among others. Michael Phelps as a G-d? Hardly. Yea, that's all the focus now, but did you want them to talk about his DUI's or other incidents? He does have twice as many gold medals as anyone else in the history of the Olympics, so that probably counts for something.

Yes, no doubt come Rio, we'll see many of these athletes put up on a pedestal, and yea, it'll be a little sickening. But again, this isn't just an NBC and the Olympics thing. We think it is because that's what so many people have built it up in their mind.

[TeamBlakeUSA]

32Days Left

[LatinXTC]

So, I've been watching NBC's coverage of the US Olympic trials. As is the case with anything combining the Olympics and the Peacock Network, it's sickening, especially in the swimming coverage. I couldn't believe it - they were making the swimmers out to be these pure, holier than thou, humble do-gooders who deserve to win every gold medal in the pool because they are pure, holier than thou, humble do-gooders. "Katie Ledecky is so humble, and yet she's going to Stanford!" Ugh. Give me a break, Ambrose. Even Michael Phelps was portrayed as this god now that he has a son. The commentators are going to be insufferable come Rio. On the one hand, this is to be expected from NBC. On the other hand, it smacks of bad sports coverage.

You don't think that the other networks do exactly the same thing? I could only imagine how the Russians will be commentating on the events, especially on the athletes participating in track and field, where as of right now the majority of their athletes will be absent from!

[nykfan845]

So, I've been watching NBC's coverage of the US Olympic trials. As is the case with anything combining the Olympics and the Peacock Network, it's sickening, especially in the swimming coverage. I couldn't believe it - they were making the swimmers out to be these pure, holier than thou, humble do-gooders who deserve to win every gold medal in the pool because they are pure, holier than thou, humble do-gooders. "Katie Ledecky is so humble, and yet she's going to Stanford!" Ugh. Give me a break, Ambrose. Even Michael Phelps was portrayed as this god now that he has a son. The commentators are going to be insufferable come Rio. On the one hand, this is to be expected from NBC. On the other hand, it smacks of bad sports coverage.

Are you new to the Olympics and professional sports?

I mean, have you seen the worship of soccer players internationally? This is not just linked to the Olympics, but to sports and broadcasters internationally.

Get with it.

[daniel anderson400]

I don't think they've been that over the top. Of course they're rooting for Americans to win medals. It's better for ratings. But NBC and the Olympics hardly have the market cornered on turning athletes into holier than thou figures. Recall how the world treated Tiger Woods (before he became a pariah), among others. Michael Phelps as a G-d? Hardly. Yea, that's all the focus now, but did you want them to talk about his DUI's or other incidents? He does have twice as many gold medals as anyone else in the history of the Olympics, so that probably counts for something.

Yes, no doubt come Rio, we'll see many of these athletes put up on a pedestal, and yea, it'll be a little sickening. But again, this isn't just an NBC and the Olympics thing. We think it is because that's what so many people have built it up in their mind.

I have to agree with you, Quaker. Do you expect Rowdy Gaines not to talk up Katie Ledecky or Missy Franklin? it's like Chris Collinsworth talking about Tom Brady during Sunday Night Football or Edzo to talk about Sidney Crosby on the NHL On NBC? those guys are paid to sometimes praise the athletes during events like the Olympics and even the NFL or the NHL.

[Quaker2001]

You don't think that the other networks do exactly the same thing? I could only imagine how the Russians will be commentating on the events, especially on the athletes participating in track and field, where as of right now the majority of their athletes will be absent from!

Are you new to the Olympics and professional sports?

I mean, have you seen the worship of soccer players internationally? This is not just linked to the Olympics, but to sports and broadcasters internationally.

Get with it.

Thank you. For all of NBC's faults and the complaints lobbed at them (many of which are totally justified), I think a lot of people don't realize that a lot of those things apply to other countries' broadcasters as well. I watched a lot of CBC from a couple of Olympics. NBC doesn't hold a candle to them in terms of rooting for their own country.

[daniel anderson400]

Thank you. For all of NBC's faults and the complaints lobbed at them (many of which are totally justified), I think a lot of people don't realize that a lot of those things apply to other countries' broadcasters as well. I watched a lot of CBC from a couple of Olympics. NBC doesn't hold a candle to them in terms of rooting for their own country.

I have to agree, although you did see CBC often talking up the stars from other countries. during Seoul, they talked up Janet Evans, Kristin Otto and Matt Biondi during the swimming events. But NBC does that too with the non-Americans sometimes.

[dtd2]

With one month to the opening ceremony, are we Americans hoping and expecting that NBC Universal will announce all the commentators and release its broadcast schedule today?

[brasilolimpico]

excited sports narrators is not unique to NBC.

Look at London 2012 , BBC in the gold Mo Farah .

Or even in Brazil , the narrator Galvão Bueno (who will narrate the opening and probably the men's soccer and swimming) . It is conheicdo by empolgão exaggerated and twisted by Brazil .

Not to mention the comments and exalting the national team before the game against Germany ( 7-1 ) in 2014 .

[Barcelona_'92]

With one month to the opening ceremony, are we Americans hoping and expecting that NBC Universal will announce all the commentators and release its broadcast schedule today?

I'm guessing they won't release the full schedule until next week, after all of the Trials have finished. That's what they've done the last few cycles.

[Quaker2001]

I have to agree, although you did see CBC often talking up the stars from other countries. during Seoul, they talked up Janet Evans, Kristin Otto and Matt Biondi during the swimming events. But NBC does that too with the non-Americans sometimes.

I'll take "things that should go without saying for $200, Alex." If we're going to talk about CBC at the `88 Summer Olympics, how about how they handled Ben Johnson? I watched plenty of their `98 coverage when Ross Rebagliati was initially stripped of his medal and there was no pretense whatsoever of neutrality from CBC. It was a major breaking news story to them that they covered to death.

[Quaker2001]

With one month to the opening ceremony, are we Americans hoping and expecting that NBC Universal will announce all the commentators and release its broadcast schedule today?

I'm guessing they won't release the full schedule until next week, after all of the Trials have finished. That's what they've done the last few cycles.

There's still a couple of sports where the schedule hasn't been determined yet, most notably beach volleyball. I think we might see a talent announcement sometime this week since we're now officially 1 month out, but the full broadcast schedule is probably still at least a week away.

[Durban Sandshark]

I agree with the TV broadcast schedule. If anything, it should also come out with the NBC Olympics sportscasters announcement and its media guide (better be good with no Mickey Mouse looks) once Mike Tirico's EURO 2016 sportscasting duties in France are through in a matter of days. Of course, his role in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil is TBA.

I'll even throw in the Norman May's famous "Gold! Gold to Australia! Gold! Gold! Gold!" call on the surprising Australian men's 4x100 swimming relay team (Mark Tonelli, Mark Kerry, Peter Evans, and Neil Brooks) at the 1980 Moscow Olympics on ABC Radio. I always wanted to upload this here.

NBC's 85-hour Rio 2016 VR coverage is compatible only and exclusive to Samsung Galaxy smartphones (Galaxy S6+/Galaxy Note 5). Too bad for those who have smartphones from the other manufacturers. Then again, Samsung's an Olympic sponsor. Like to get a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge phone:
http://www.ibtimes.com/nbc-samsung-team-broadcast-2016-rio-olympics-virtual-reality-2388799
http://www.technobuffalo.com/2016/06/30/rio-2016-olympics-games-in-vr-coming-exclusively-to-samsung-gear-vr/
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/nbc-offer-vr-olympics-content-samsung-users-40247013

Now add MTG's Viasat to the list of broadcasters willing to invest in Rio 2016 VR and 4KTV coverage through the Viasat Sport 360 app (available August 2) and Viasat Ultra HD showing 120 hours of coverage, respectively, in Sweden:
http://www.dagensmedia.se/medier/rorligt/mtg-sander-os-i-vr-6589461
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sv&u=http://www.dagensmedia.se/medier/rorligt/mtg-sander-os-i-vr-6589461&prev=search

Telstra customers will actually be offered 7's premium Olympic app with 3000+ hours of Olympic action and 36 channels, charged at A$19.95, for free:
https://ausdroid.net/2016/07/04/telstra-will-offer-premium-access-olympics-7-app/

Finalnd's Teflon Brothers rap duo brings forth their official Team Finland rap song "Rio Ohoi!" (inspired by the Dingo song from the same name) that earned Hanna-Maria Seppala's and Sandra Eriksson's blue ribbons:
https://svenska.yle.fi/artikel/2016/06/30/rio-ohoi-har-ar-finlands-officiella-os-lat

SuperSport's Rio 2016 15-second bumper promo is now up under its brand new Go For Gold Rio 2016 Olympic campaign. Yeah, it's South African in its focus; you get to see Bayana Bayana women's soccer team, the Blitzboks, Chad Le Clos, and Wayne Van Niekirk all the final seconds before battle or at practice. Quite a contrast to the London ones with Olympic legends recalling their favorite notable Olympic moments in history:

SporTV's massive sportscasting team coming in to cover all the Olympic sports down in its own backyard in Rio De Janeiro possesses 42 medals in those 110 commentators, 35 analysts and more than 100 journalists team on an unprecedented 16 SporTV channels and 40 web exclusive streaming channels headed by SporTV's Executive Director Raul Costa Jr.. Took 4 years of preparation. SporTV's commentators and analysts including former volleyball player and medalist Nalbert speak of the anxiety in getting the job done in preparing for such a massive project. This also give Globosat a professional versatility not seen before on Brazilian TV. Or even global. Plus, SporTV will present a special Olympic app that will allow the public follow live competitions, save games, read news, to know the profiles of athletes, and create notifications to not forget when the Brazilian teams of all types come into play for gold:
http://portal.comunique-se.com.br/especiais/81585-sportv-prepara-delegacao-para-cobertura-do-rio-2016
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://portal.comunique-se.com.br/especiais/81585-sportv-prepara-delegacao-para-cobertura-do-rio-2016&prev=search

[Quaker2001]

I agree with the TV broadcast schedule. If anything, it should also come out with the NBC Olympics sportscasters announcement and its media guide (better be good with no Mickey Mouse looks) once Mike Tirico's EURO 2016 sportscasting duties in France are through in a matter of days. Of course, his role in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil is TBA.

Tirico's last day with ESPN was June 30th. He's no longer covering Euro 2016 in France.

[Quaker2001]

Ask and ye shall receive..

RECORD 170 COMMENTATORS JOIN NBC OLYMPICS’ COVERAGE OF THE GAMES OF THE XXXI OLYMPIAD FROM RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

[LatinXTC]

Oh gawd there's going to be 3 people talking over the OC, and that third person is Hoda???

Two is enough and I thought Matt and Meredith did a good job in Sochi, so to throw in this drunk loudmouth into the mix is just a huge no!

[TeamBlakeUSA]

31 Days Remaining.

[dtd2]

I looked at the 2012 version of this thread. A PDF outline of the schedule for the different NBC channels was posted in the thread 25 days before the opening ceremony. However, the date on the PDF was 31 days before the opening ceremony. This PDF was released before the basketball and beach volleyball tournament matches were completely announced. An hour by hour schedule was posted on nbcolympics.com 20 days before the opening ceremony.

http://images.bimedia.net/documents/2012+London+Olympic+Listings+Outline.pdf

So I think we have another 7-10 days before NBCOlympics.com updates, but I'm hoping someone can get their hand on this year's outline within a few days. I think we can all agree NBC will do anything they can to get the American beach volleyball matches in the 11pm eastern hour.

[rio2016man]

I suspect we'll hear something on Mike Tirico's role in the next couple of weeks

[Quaker2001]

I suspect we'll hear something on Mike Tirico's role in the next couple of weeks

The NBC release noted that there are a couple of names still to be announced. Have to assume Tirico is 1 of them, although no idea what his role might be.

[ofan]

So it seems, like 2014, we will see separate commentators for a marquee event (track and field/figure skating) between live on cable and delayed in prime time.

[Quaker2001]

So it seems, like 2014, we will see separate commentators for a marquee event (track and field/figure skating) between live on cable and delayed in prime time.

This won't be like Sochi because the evening sessions of track & field will be live in primetime. NBC has done this before (notably 2008) where there was an additional announcer to cover race walking. I don't think there will a second full crew like NBC had with figure skating in Sochi. This is just 1 announcer. More than anything, I'd suspect NBC is taking it easy on Hammond and giving him a break from some of the long-form events on cable. And perhaps this is an audition for Albert to potentially be his replacement on track & field.

[AlexDS69]

I'm not naive. I know that this happens all the time around the world. I've been watching the Olympics since 1992. Still, NBC's coverage, even by broadcasting standards, is ridiculous and takes all the fun out of watching the Olympics. Often I have to press the mute button on my remote control, even during the Olympic Trials broadcasts. NBC can praise everyone on Team USA to the high heavens, and paint a gifted but resource-limited runner from Chad or Myanmar as a worthless peasant if they wish, but they forget (at their own peril) that the Olympics are for the whole world, not just their personal gold medal hoarding ground.

[dtd2]

So it seems, like 2014, we will see separate commentators for a marquee event (track and field/figure skating) between live on cable and delayed in prime time.

I did notice that Swimming and Track conflict in primetime for a couple of nights. Albert might be the NBCSN anchor during that time.