Note: Detroit will not be able to access Canadian TV Coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Original blog post from 2008:
Living near the Canadian border has its advantages. During the Olympics, one of the big advantages is our ability to access Canadian TV, namely CBC's Olympics coverage. According to GlobeandMail.com, CBC will show 282 hours of coverage versus NBC's 225 during the Beijing Olympics. And the coverage does not neatly mirror NBC's coverage. Instead, it provides a unique perspective of an international event.
For one thing, CBC is a public broadcasting network rather than private, which means it will show events live rather than package up the highlights tight and pretty for prime-time replay. The exception to this is swimming and gymnastics, events that are held in the morning in Beijing and, therefore, can be shown live in the evening in at least the eastern half of Canada and the U.S. There are also fewer commercials to interfere with coverage of a particular event.
The Canadian coverage is less slick and produced than its U.S. counterparty but in many ways more comprehensive. For instance, the coverage is less about highlights and includes lesser-known sports and athletes from around the world. There is also a lot of coverage of Canadian athletes, whether favorites in their respective events or not.
Of course, opinions will vary about whether commentators are better between the two networks; but, at least during opening ceremonies, the lack of air-filling chatter proved refreshing.
Olympics Coverage:
- CBC's coverage runs from 6 a.m. to noon, 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. (sometimes 6 a.m.)
- NBC's coverage runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and midnight to 1:30 a.m.
What do you think?
What do you think of CBC's coverage versus NBC's?
Comments
The nbc coverage stinks.We see very little
I totally agree. I much prefer the CBC coverage. Not only do they cover more sports, their commentary is better, too. (Now if only the coverage didn’t preempt Coronation Street…)
I don’t know how to say it but NBC’s coverage is f**king sh*ty. The whole world sees the olympics the way it’s supposed to be shown. I cannot even get to see the track and field finals live. C’mon the men’s 100m, while the whole world saw the excitement live, we had to scramble and try to see if some put a crappy video on youtube.com. NBC f**k you from the bottom of my heart!
My wife and I are very impressed with your coverage. Especially Diana Swayne (sp ?) We hope we will see much more of her in the future. A special lady.
Thank you
Jim A
CBC is doing a fine job! NBC sucks!
CBC’s television coverage is fantastic, similar to the outstanding ABC coverage of the 1968 Mexico City and 1972 Munich games. NBC’s coverage is orchestrated, the “replay” of “live” events is boring, frustrating, and insulting. The NBC programming is about their production ability, the CBC lets the events provide the excitement, drama, and interest. I am just glad I live where I can get the CBC broadcast.
For years, I have considered myself lucky to live where I can receive the CBC during the Olympics, and actually see the sports rather than the commercial drivel that NBC produces. Starting with the 2010 Winder Olympics in Vancouver, though, this will change. The CBC was outbid for both the 2010 Winter and 2012 Summer Olympics. Those Olympics will be carried by affiliates of Bell Globemedia (CTV) and Rogers Communications.