Olympic Media Coverage Lacking, Especially for Canadians

You would think that with the 2010 Olympics being in Vancouver, Canada this year, media coverage would be exceptional.

However, it's only just begun and I am already annoyed.

In 2005, CTV out bid Canadian Broadcasting Channel (CBC) for both the 2010 and 2012 Olympic games. Traditionally, CBC has had exceptional coverage of the Olympic games. They spend less time on fluffy stories, and gave attention to a variety of sports and lesser known athletes from both within Canada and outside as well.

NBC tends to have a lot of sensationalized pieces compared to CBC and other channels around the world. A big disappointment to Canadians and American sports fans.

How can the "people's channel" or the national channel let this get away? It is almost as shocking as when they let themselves get out bid for the hockey night in Canada theme song. I think the leadership of that channel needs to be re-assessed and the direction be examined.

In the U.S., NBC has the rights to show the Olympics. Throughout the years, there have been numerous complaints on the quality of coverage and only focusing on American athletes, at times excluding the top international competitors.

Another oddity is the coverage of US-Canada hockey game on NBC will be ditched for ice dancing. Is ice dancing really more important with higher viewership than hockey?

Downhill skiing and speed skating and slalom. Really? Any other team, fine. But surely not a good old US-Canada game.

Finally, why can't I find an Olympic tag on Bleacher Report? You would think that there would be a permanent category for the Olympics. After all, there are always interesting events during qualifying events.

On a somber note, as many readers have heard by now, Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili lost his life yesterday in a tragic training accident. A week prior, Brian Burke (GM of the United States hockey team) lost his son in a car accident. A reminder of how fleeting life can be and importance of the human spirit above all else.

Best wishes and love to both families.