Worried about diluting the value of its broadcast rights, the IOC limits video and audio Internet access based on national boundaries. That's why expat Ian Thorpe fans can't listen to Australian reports of his wins and those of us in the U.S. can't watch or listen to the BBC's coverage online.
Granted, NBC is providing extensive video content online, including features, event highlights and athlete interviews. The site offers localized content organized by affiliate in a micro-site called the O-Zone, adding more video. But the network opted not to offer video-on-demand or live-event video, even though these were within its rights.
Asked about the decision, NBCOlympics.com executive producer Evan Silverman responded by e-mail from Athens: "NBC is providing the most comprehensive TV coverage of an Olympics in history. With 1,210 hours of programming across seven platforms (NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Telemundo, Bravo and HDTV), coverage averages more than 70 hours of programming in every 24-hour period during the 17 days of the Games. The NBC television networks remain the best places to watch the Games."
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