Another #NBCFail

Definitely getting a kick out of the reaction of—well, pretty much everyone on the Internet—to how NBC is covering the Olympics.

Because it’s a lot more engaging and immediate than the network’s actual, you know, coverage. If you want a sample, just Google #NBCFail. That hashtag took over from the #ShutUpMattLauer one. Or maybe it subsumed the latter.

It’s not just that they’re not broadcasting anything in real time. Or that they’re spattering commercials throughout like they think this is their last chance to appease advertisers because ad companies are going to shut down in 18 minutes. It’s that they can’t even fully present what they’re showing without inserting spoilers.

The biggest example (so far) is the break before showing the women’s 100-meter backstroke final. NBC ran a promo for yesterday’s Today show interview with the 17-year-old, shrieking, “When you’re 17 years old and win your first gold medal, there’s nobody you’d rather share it with.” And they included a photo of her holding up her gold medal.

I like Andy Borowitz’s take in The New Yorker. Sad thing is—if someone did offer a “NBC-free” stream for $29.95, people would sign up.

As it is, many tech-literate (and even not so literate) folks have hooked into VPNs to be able to watch coverage from other broadcasters. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m really enjoying seeing the BBC’s offerings. Not only are they minus the NBC fatuous commentary, they’re showing sports I’d never have seen courtesy of the broadcaster that’s supposed to be serving the American viewing public.