NBC is taking criticism from all sides for its Olympic Coverage, and with the advent of Twitter and Facebook, it’s happening in a very public fashion. There’s been tweeting in #nbcfail about everything from tape-delaying Ryan Lochte’s race, not streaming the opening ceremonies, and airing U.S. men basketball team’s opening game on a cable network while women’s cycling was shown on NBC.

The din of criticism has gotten to the point where Jim Bell, NBC’s executive producer of the games, even responded to some critics on twitter and is looking to change the network’s coverage in response. “#nbcfail is filled with a lot of crying and snark and humor, but NBC can actually learn something from it,” said Jeff Jarvis, a media critic who writes the Buzzmachine.com blog.

While tape delay coverage is nothing new for the Olympics, people have grown used to instant access on the Internet. Demand has grown for viewers who want to see the events on their large-screen TVs instantly and haven’t been satisfied by NBC’s decision to stream the events live online.

“NBC tape delay coverage is like the airlines: its interest is in giving you the least satisfactory service you will still come back for,” tweeted James Poniewozik, Time magazine TV critic.

NBC’s Bell responded, “You do know that all sports events are being streamed live right ”

“I do, indeed!” replied Poniewozik. “Have enjoyed it. Apparently a lot of folks still prefer watching it on TV.”

NBC noted that there were 39 hours of live events Sunday on NBC and its affiliated networks. Big events are still saved for prime time, when advertising dollars are the best, though this concurs with a period when events have concluded in the U.K.

For all the complaining, NBC surely feels vindicated in the ratings. Nielsen company said the opening ceremony drew more than 40 million people Friday, a record, and Saturday’s first night of coverage was seen by 28.7 million, beating every other first night of Olympic competition.

Jarvis thinks fans could be satisfied if NBC streamed certain events live then broadcast them again at night, though he admits such a move would put millions of ad dollars at risk. “[NBC has tried to] hold on to old media strategies in a new media world,” Jarvis said. “And that’s a mistake.”

Bashing NBC seems to have become an activity all of its own, with a CNN producer tweeting Sunday, “No USA basketball in my hotel room. Why they aren’t putting it on NBC’s main channel is beyond me!”

Not everyone on Twitter is a critic; the U.S. Olympic sailing team tweeted on Sunday that it was “by far the greatest sailing TV coverage in Olympic history.”

Source: Yahoo