The Olympics are half over, and I just realized that I don’t hate the coverage.
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Most years, I complain and complain about the coverage of the Olympics and various sporting events. However, this year, it seems to have struck the right note. I’m not sure if I’m just getting older and mellowing out, or if the coverage is just that much better. Here is what I have noticed so far:
- Using the channels – Nothing was more frustrating than having all the “good stuff” held back so it could be shown on the prime time channel, only to have things cut off and left wanting because there was no way to include everything. Last night, for example, the women’s gold medal hockey game was on NBCsn (or whatever), while skiing was on the other channel. That meant that I got to make my own choice. I think this is better for everyone.
- No human interest stories – Nothing ruined the flow of the Olympics more for me than cutting into an event or race in order to follow a monk as he climbed up hills collecting water, or whatever the heck it was. For years, NBC insisted that this was a crucial part of the Olympic experience to see some sort of cheapo, short documentary style thing about the local population. It seems they have finally wised up and figured out that we watch the Olympics for the sports, not for the local culture. Save that stuff for the opening ceremonies.
- Timing – Actually, the broadcasters got some help here. During the prime hours of the evening, and into the night, it is morning and afternoon in Korea. That means, showing Lindsay Vonn live, or hockey games live is not only possible, but preferable. In prior Olympics, knowing that the events are happening, but that they wouldn’t show them on TV was a giant gripe of mine. In the 21st century, you can’t just ignore the fact that we can watch whatever we want, whenever we want. Sure, re-show it during Prime Time. I mean, some of work for a living, but don’t hold it hostage.
I do have one complaint. The commercials for Xfinity show folks saying, “Show me hockey.” I tried that and I got the opening 40 minutes of studio talking, along with the restriction of no fast forwarding. Yeah. No thanks.
Whatever the reason, I’ve found the Winter Olympics particularly enjoyable this year. Hopefully, I’ll feel the same about the Summer Olympics in two years.
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