Row after NBC drop opening ceremony '7/7 tribute'

[FlintyV]

London (Guardian) - The US broadcaster NBC is facing growing criticism after editing their delayed coverage of the London 2012 opening ceremony to replace the "memorial wall" tribute section with a Ryan Seacrest interview with Michael Phelps.

NBC, exclusive holders of the US rights to the Games, chose to broadcast the entire ceremony on a time-delay to maximise primetime advertising revenue, and were further criticised for refusing to provide a live online stream.

NBC's broadcast, which began as the live ceremony was finishing in London, left out sections including the reflective moment when the Scottish singer Emeli Sand? sang Abide with Me.

The section included images of loved ones lost by those in the stadium, and was also widely interpreted as a tribute to the 52 victims of the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London in 2005.

On the BBC's coverage, commentator Hazel Irvine said: "The excitement of that moment in Singapore seven years ago when London won the Games was tempered with great sorrow the very next day, with the events on 7 July."

source

[theyarecomingforyou]

I've given up being surprised by anything that happens in the US. They show absolutely no respect for any other country and seek to assert their cultural dominance at every opportunity. When the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony was shown in the UK it was shown uninterrupted and certainly didn't feature random interviews with British athletes or commentators talking over the entire event. It's bad enough that it wasn't broadcast live but to then fail to identify people like Tim Berners-Lee was pathetic, a move that struck me as very deliberate considering that the US likes to claim ownership of the internet at every opportunity (yes, I'm aware of the distinction between "the internet" and the "world wide web"). And this comes on the back of Romney insulting the London Olympics.

[Ghost5525]

some people are ignorant don't lump us all in one basket...im quite ashamed we didn't get to see it here in the states because the UK was definitely there for us during 9/11...

[Vice]

Pretty disrespectful. I can tell you now that if this was reversed and America was showing a tribute to 9.11 in their Olympic games we would have shown it in full. In-fact we would have shown the entire Olympic opening ceremony in full and without people talking over it and ruining it.

[theyarecomingforyou]

some people are ignorant don't lump us all in one basket...im quite ashamed we didn't get to see it here in the states because the UK was definitely there for us during 9/11...

I apologise for over generalising, as I appreciate that a lot of Americans were unhappy with the coverage (hence the trending Twitter hash-tag).

However, NBC was the exclusive rights holder and that is the coverage that most Americans will remember. It only perpetuates the US misunderstanding of British culture, while disrespecting the memories of the 7/7 victims in order to show coverage of their own athletes. It just seems that such disrespect and commercial prioritisation of coverage is endemic in the US. And, as you said, the UK showed a lot of solidarity with the US with 9/11.

[Anibal P]

Typical American Liberal TV, then they wonder why most of us don't watch anything on their channels, I hope NBC loses its exclusive deal to show the Olympics, at this point not even Fox could screw it up as bad as they have the last two Summer and last Winter Olympics

[theyarecomingforyou]

Typical American Liberal TV, then they wonder why most of us don't watch anything on their channels, I hope NBC loses its exclusive deal to show the Olympics, at this point not even Fox could screw it up as bad as they have the last two Summer and last Winter Olympics

This isn't a left / right political issue, so don't try to make it one.

[Skin]

I've given up being surprised by anything that happens in the US. They show absolutely no respect for any other country and seek to assert their cultural dominance at every opportunity.

not so much... Americans are just self-centered. We don't care to assert crap, the younger generations just think the world revolves around them, and whatever they think they are entitled to get... that and celebrity fever is what everyone has. Much easier to show an interview with an 'idol' than watch something that is solemn and requires thinking and reflection.

[MikeChipshop Member]

Going by the internet today, i think this **** up may have bought the intelligent Britain's and Americans together.

I've been very pleased with the reaction i've seen so far. The Americans and the British both seem to agree that it was an absolute ridiculous thing for the channel to do.

I think whoever chose to do this should be named and shamed.

[Neu B]

not so much... Americans are just self-centered. We don't care to assert crap, the younger generations just think the world revolves around them, and whatever they think they are entitled to get... that and celebrity fever is what everyone has. Much easier to show an interview with an 'idol' than watch something that is solemn and requires thinking and reflection.

People are not the way they are because they are from this or that country.

[Skin]

People are not the way they are because they are from this or that country.

yeah, they are. unless you think people from Ethiopia are self-centered and living an entitled lifestyle, and worshiping at the feet of celebrities.... oh that's right, they are too busy looking for things needed to live.

So yeah, where you come from makes a huge difference and influences the people very much.

[MikeChipshop Member]

yeah, they are. unless you think people from Ethiopia are self-centered and living an entitled lifestyle, and worshiping at the feet of celebrities.... oh that's right, they are too busy looking for things needed to live.

So yeah, where you come from makes a huge difference and influences the people very much.

Of course it makes a difference.

However to think that it's the defining characteristic is quite single minded. I'm sure there are self centred Ethiopians.

[SharpGreen]

I didn't actually know any of this till just now, and now I'm annoyed that I didn't get to see the entire thing. Seems kind of stupid that they didn't broadcast the entire event.

Though I suppose when you really look at it, it is NBC "the colossal screw up" is their trademark.

[Neu B]

yeah, they are. unless you think people from Ethiopia are self-centered and living an entitled lifestyle, and worshiping at the feet of celebrities.... oh that's right, they are too busy looking for things needed to live.

So yeah, where you come from makes a huge difference and influences the people very much.

People who think like you make me sad.

[Skin]

People who think like you make me sad.

cause it shows how much more people know than you?

Of course it makes a difference.

However to think that it's the defining characteristic is quite single minded. I'm sure there are self centred Ethiopians.

...then why are the overwhelming majority of Americans self-centered? Sorry, but where you are from in many cases defines exactly that.

[ArialBlue]

US television doesn't do anything during new year either - it is just commercials and interviews with people who no one cares about... for an hour.

[COKid]

...then why are the overwhelming majority of Americans self-centered? Sorry, but where you are from in many cases defines exactly that.

Must be sad to live with all that hate in your heart. :cry:

[Ghost5525]

I apologise for over generalising, as I appreciate that a lot of Americans were unhappy with the coverage (hence the trending Twitter hash-tag).

However, NBC was the exclusive rights holder and that is the coverage that most Americans will remember. It only perpetuates the US misunderstanding of British culture, while disrespecting the memories of the 7/7 victims in order to show coverage of their own athletes. It just seems that such disrespect and commercial prioritisation of coverage is endemic in the US. And, as you said, the UK showed a lot of solidarity with the US with 9/11.

Yea unfortunately you're right - the general public will not know of that. And besides, i like Michael Phelps and all but really..the dude was heading to bed to get ready for his swim today was it really necessary to interview him? No. Again i'm sorry our media outlets are such douches sometimes but that's how they are...i suppose they pretend like the US is the only country on earth. NBC should definitely be scalded for it and should apologize for their gross disrespect of the host country's opening ceremony.

[Growled Member]

Well, it is NBC. We don't even watch them much. But to cut out important parts of the opening ceremony is just disgraceful if you ask me.

[moloko]

People are not the way they are because they are from this or that country.

yes they are. Its part of the culture. americans do consider themselves superior as a mass. we dominate world affairs as much as we can.

cause it shows how much more people know than you?

...then why are the overwhelming majority of Americans self-centered? Sorry, but where you are from in many cases defines exactly that.

defined by the rest of the world. Have you been over seas. Seen how americans act? Not all of course. but the ones that do stand out much much more. so many in europe and asia and even africa think americans are pompous f**ks

[Southern Patriot]

...then why are the overwhelming majority of Americans self-centered? Sorry, but where you are from in many cases defines exactly that.

Care to link to that study, survey, etc? Or do you claim to personally know all 300 million + Americans?

Sometimes the anti-American sentiment around here is mind blowing. As an American who has literally travelled around the world (except for the central section of Africa between Nigeria and Bahrain), I've never experienced this supposed global hatred of Americans as much as I do here, primarily it seems from people from Europe. I think a lot of people in other countries forget the diversity of the American people, and just how large and populous our country is. Just because you see some outspoken idiots on TV doesn't mean that they in any way represent the "overwelming majority of Americans".

[FloatingFatMan]

^ Don't worry, guy. Not everyone thinks that about Americans. ;) Just like anyone else, there are jerks and non-jerks.

Except maybe the French, who are universally self-centered and arrogant. :p

[simplezz]

The Olympic games should be free for everyone to see, not monopolised and monetised like what is being done at the moment. It's part of the cultural heritage of the whole planet.

[Tender Foot]

yes they are. Its part of the culture. americans do consider themselves superior as a mass. we dominate world affairs as much as we can.

defined by the rest of the world. Have you been over seas. Seen how americans act? Not all of course. but the ones that do stand out much much more. so many in europe and asia and even africa think americans are pompous f**ks

Way to generalise and stop speaking out of your arse and you are the one acting like a pompous arse

[chrisj1968]

I've given up being surprised by anything that happens in the US. They show absolutely no respect for any other country and seek to assert their cultural dominance at every opportunity. When the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony was shown in the UK it was shown uninterrupted and certainly didn't feature random interviews with British athletes or commentators talking over the entire event. It's bad enough that it wasn't broadcast live but to then fail to identify people like Tim Berners-Lee was pathetic, a move that struck me as very deliberate considering that the US likes to claim ownership of the internet at every opportunity (yes, I'm aware of the distinction between "the internet" and the "world wide web"). And this comes on the back of Romney insulting the London Olympics.

You mean because a "KNOWN" left leaning broadcasting corporation doesn't show the 7/7 massacre, we are all Bad Americans? I didn't even get to see it myself and never would've thought I missed it. But as an American, I take it quite personally when someone wants to lump us into one basket.