Reckon it's pretty much the same in all countries: it's all about the locals. IMO Olympics bring out the worse in people i.e ultranationalism, sensationalism etc and media know they have to 'feed' people's patriotism. In Oz it feels like it's the swimming/track cycling championships, not much airtime for disciplines where aussies are no chance. And aussie athletes who are no medal chances are ignored by the media which is imo even worse. I know it's the same in japan, france, the us, UK etc so its not about having a go at one country over others, we are all the same (perhaps smaller nations with few athletes are better, dunno). Olympics on commercial TV aren't about sports, it's about national pride and flags.
Commentaries are also poorer than on regular sports networks as commercial TVs do not have their depth and expertise all across the board. I would pay to be able to watch the Olympics on a (sort of) neutral network a la eurosport with commentators who are as excited with all performances/sports (no difference whether it's a Fijian, American, chinese etc athlete).
I am happy looking at the medal chart every morning (any website) that speaks for itself, J.TV has been switched off until ....end of Aug.2016 (to skip replays)
Agree with goldorak, I'd love it if there was some Eurosport-style coverage easily available here. In the UK, the BBC's main coverage is also just heavily focused on sports with heavy UK-involvement. The only major exception to that is in athletics, where the main races (e.g. 100m, relays, etc.) get reasonable coverage regardless of who's expected to win. But in fairness, in the past they have had extra streams available for watching 'non-major' sports live.
Eurosport was great though, non-biased coverage and (largely) non-biased commentary whilst showing a wide range of different sports, regardless of the UK's chances.
Have been watching US, Canada, and Japan coverage. All focus, so far, on local athletes OR the stars (Phelps & Bolt). However, lot fewer replays on US tv showing the winner over and over again day after day. Canada focuses on Canada regardless of position. Japan makes it appear to be a Japan-centric meet. ALL are similar in loving their own.
Some comments really irk me. If you are in Japan, of course they are going to focus on the Japanese teams ! Suck it up guys !
Yep, I get sick of this complaint. It's the same in every country. Usually, it's only hard-core sports fans want to see what other countries' athletes are doing in a range of events.
The endlessly repeated music background about "heeerrrooooooosssss". Not imaginative or interesting in any way. Otherwise, every country focuses on their national athletes, and Japan is doing pretty darned well!
Not going to make me buy a TV any time soon. It's good we now have internet.
Usually, it's only hard-core sports fans want to see what other countries' athletes are doing in a range of events.
No, it's only extreme right fans that want only their country's results, wrapped in racist, sexist, xeniphobic comments, biased support of the cheats and badly behaving athletes...
I'm from the UK, a nation of sport fanatics. Many Brits will happily listen to a commentator droning on about the finer details of obscure sports that many people aren't bothered about. Can't really expect all coverage to be like that I suppose.
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GW
To Japan focused, looks like your watching the national championships.
MsDelicious
Japan: Terrible
goldorak
Reckon it's pretty much the same in all countries: it's all about the locals. IMO Olympics bring out the worse in people i.e ultranationalism, sensationalism etc and media know they have to 'feed' people's patriotism. In Oz it feels like it's the swimming/track cycling championships, not much airtime for disciplines where aussies are no chance. And aussie athletes who are no medal chances are ignored by the media which is imo even worse. I know it's the same in japan, france, the us, UK etc so its not about having a go at one country over others, we are all the same (perhaps smaller nations with few athletes are better, dunno). Olympics on commercial TV aren't about sports, it's about national pride and flags.
Commentaries are also poorer than on regular sports networks as commercial TVs do not have their depth and expertise all across the board. I would pay to be able to watch the Olympics on a (sort of) neutral network a la eurosport with commentators who are as excited with all performances/sports (no difference whether it's a Fijian, American, chinese etc athlete).
some14some
I am happy looking at the medal chart every morning (any website) that speaks for itself, J.TV has been switched off until ....end of Aug.2016 (to skip replays)
DiscoJ
Agree with goldorak, I'd love it if there was some Eurosport-style coverage easily available here. In the UK, the BBC's main coverage is also just heavily focused on sports with heavy UK-involvement. The only major exception to that is in athletics, where the main races (e.g. 100m, relays, etc.) get reasonable coverage regardless of who's expected to win. But in fairness, in the past they have had extra streams available for watching 'non-major' sports live.
Eurosport was great though, non-biased coverage and (largely) non-biased commentary whilst showing a wide range of different sports, regardless of the UK's chances.
Kurobune
Some comments really irk me. If you are in Japan, of course they are going to focus on the Japanese teams ! Suck it up guys !
borscht
Have been watching US, Canada, and Japan coverage. All focus, so far, on local athletes OR the stars (Phelps & Bolt). However, lot fewer replays on US tv showing the winner over and over again day after day. Canada focuses on Canada regardless of position. Japan makes it appear to be a Japan-centric meet. ALL are similar in loving their own.
Leigh Ivan Quintellio Wighton
Yep, I get sick of this complaint. It's the same in every country. Usually, it's only hard-core sports fans want to see what other countries' athletes are doing in a range of events.
Pukey2
Zippy:
Yeah, I agree. Why on earth would sports-fans want to watch Olympics? It's not as if there were any sports.
I just watched the women's marathon yesterday. I was enjoying it until I thought, why the hell am I watching this. I'm neither Kenyan nor Ethiopian.
nath
The endlessly repeated music background about "heeerrrooooooosssss". Not imaginative or interesting in any way. Otherwise, every country focuses on their national athletes, and Japan is doing pretty darned well!
Lloyd Weems
Absolutely brilliant. But then I've watched it all on the BBC iPlayer...
coskuri
Not going to make me buy a TV any time soon. It's good we now have internet.
No, it's only extreme right fans that want only their country's results, wrapped in racist, sexist, xeniphobic comments, biased support of the cheats and badly behaving athletes...
Tom Forman
I'm from the UK, a nation of sport fanatics. Many Brits will happily listen to a commentator droning on about the finer details of obscure sports that many people aren't bothered about. Can't really expect all coverage to be like that I suppose.