NBC will stream all London Olympic Games events live
— -- Lovers of fencing and trampoline, rejoice!
For the first time ever, all Olympic events — including less-popular sports and competition of other countries — will be available for live-viewing when the London Games kick off today with women's soccer.
NBCUniversal, which owns the exclusive U.S. broadcast rights for the Games, will use nine TV channels, a website and a tablet-smartphone app to broadcast and stream the Games to viewers who can prove that they subscribe to cable service.
In a testament of how far online viewing has advanced in just four years, all 32 sports and more than 3,500 programming hours will be streamed, including the awarding of all 302 medals. Four years ago, NBC streamed only 25 sports and 2,200 hours during the Beijing Games.
Here are some some questions to consider as you wait for the Games to begin:
Q: Can I really view any and all live events online, even Guatemala's badminton team?
A: Yes. That certain sports were unavailable for viewing was a common complaint in the past Olympics. But thanks to the Internet and mobile apps, the Games' organizers have addressed the issue for those lucky enough to have a broadband connection.
For many U.S. viewers, their TV set still will be the go-to platform for watching the Olympics, much of it tape-delayed for prime-time broadcast. But given the limited number of hours on TV, NBCUniversal chose to make all events available on its dedicated Olympics website, NBCOlympics.com. Videos will be archived for evening viewing.
Q: Any options for tablet or smartphone users?
A: Mobile viewers can also access live events through the free NBC Olympics Live Extra app, available on iOS and Android devices. The app will show every competition, as well as the Olympics content that airs on NBC TV channels.
Q: Is the streamed content from the website and the app free?
A: Yes and no. It's free if you can verify at log-on that you are a cable subscriber who buys a package that contains MSNBC and CNBC. Customers of all major pay-TV providers are eligible.
Q: How do I verify my cable subscription?
A: Customers can verify by filling out their username and password — obtained from their cable provider — on NBCOlympics.com. If you don't have one, you must obtain a username from the website of your pay-TV provider.
Q: What's available on TV?
A: NBCUniversal will keep the broadcast of all Olympics events within its family of channels, including Bravo and Telemundo. The main NBC broadcast station will air 270 hours of Olympics programming, limiting it to popular sports and the opening and closing ceremonies. NBC Sports Network, a cable channel owned by NBCUniversal, will air Olympics coverage 14 hours a day, mostly U.S. teams.
MSNBC will focus on long-form programming, including features and events that last more than a few minutes. Boxing will air on CNBC, while Bravo is the go-to channel for tennis fans. Telemundo will broadcast selected events in Spanish.
Q: Are there any special channels or 3-D programming?
A: NBC has developed three dedicated cable channels for soccer, basketball and 3-D programming. The 3-D channel will have about 240 hours of coverage, but viewers will need a 3-D-capable TV set. 3-D events include the opening and closing ceremonies, gymnastics, swimming, bicycle racing and track and field.
Q: Are there other websites or apps that will broadcast the Games live?
A: No. But there are other options for fans who want ancillary content beyond competitive events. Another free NBC app, NBC Olympics, contains highlights, schedules, results and athlete profiles. Pay-TV providers are also developing apps to help ease viewer confusion stemming from the plethora of options. For example, Xfinity TV Sports Remote app, available only to its customers, can set DVR recordings, and filter listings by sport and viewing times.