Part of America is made up of nice men and women who put in their day at work and then retreat to their TV in the den, flipping on the National Broadcast Corporation to watch their favorite gymnasts and swimmers, just like they did in 1988.
The rest of America is full of voracious, angry, pitchfork-wielding sports enthusiasts who don't understand why, in an era when so many people use Twitter and live streaming, NBC can't just abandon trying to milk money out of prime time and show events live.
The second group has come out in full force since the 2012 Summer Olympics kicked off in London on Friday night. First, viewers were upset that the Opening Ceremony wouldn't be streamed live. Now, as premier events finish in the morning or afternoon while NBC holds the footage until well into the evening, people are getting upset. In the age of the Internet and constant Twitter updates, they say, they're bound to find out the results long before they can watch, ruining the intrigue and surprise.
Complaints about tape delay aren't new, but as Olympics viewers find it increasingly difficult not to see spoilers, a hashtag has emerged on Twitter to collect all the complaints in one place: #NBCfail. We've collected a few for you to enjoy:
NBC will air Phelps v Lochte as soon as they find their Netzero dial up password #OLDmedia
— Anthony De Rosa (@AntDeRosa) July 28, 2012
Tried to watch Olympics last night.Ryan Seacrest?Turned to reruns of Cops.Thug perps can run and jump with the best of them.#NBCfail
— Neal Boortz (@Talkmaster) July 29, 2012
RT @NBC We interrupt our tape-delayed Olympics to bring you breaking news: Michael Jackson has died. #NBCFail
— Gerry Duggan (@GerryDuggan) July 29, 2012
NBC: Will Pearl Harbor be attacked? Find out tonight in primetime! #nbcfail
— Will Bunch (@Will_Bunch) July 29, 2012
According to reports from NBC Sports, the Mets have an excellent chance at winning the 1986 World Series! #NBCfail #RetroactiveSports
— Tom Watson (@tomwatson) July 28, 2012
Must avoid Twitter all day as opening ceremonies are not streamed live in USA and have to wait for to it to watch on TV #nbcfail #london2012
— Daniel Ayala (@buddhake) July 27, 2012
Context: NBC’s ideal viewer is someone who doesn’t get sports text alerts, doesn’t appointment stream or get on Twitter.
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) July 28, 2012
NBC's Olympics coverage is underway again! Really, really nervous for Michael Phelps! #tweetsfromthestoneage
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_SI) July 29, 2012
Thumbnail via Instagram/britelmslie
Photo of the Day
And that's the first medal for the United States. The archery team took silver, losing to Italy by just one arrow.
Photo via Instagram/rickmaese
Quote of the Day
"I seriously think they got to take the diaper off this guy and let him play. Let him be a grown man."
— Jerry Rice, on how the San Francisco 49ers have handled quarterback Alex Smith, according to ESPN Audibles
Tweet of the Day
Maybe Jon Lester should wait two hours before every start.
@NESN Thank the weatherman for this Win @NYYankees! WTG BoSox!
— Bobby (@bob2pats) July 29, 2012
Video of the Day
Colombia's game plan against the U.S.: Poke players in the eye.
