Is NBC obviously biased?

Question

It seems like we basically have to trust the NBC broadcasters to explain all those little mistakes that the gymnasts make. I couldn't see any of nastia's or yang yilin's mistakes until they mentioned it, and who knows how many more mistakes there are that we can't see. However, what amused me was that they kept going on and on about how Nastia should have gotten the gold for the uneven bars and how the judges were biased against her. However, they did not say much about how Yang Yilin's score was lower than expected (Btw, she has the same start value as Nastia and Kexin). Seriously, I couldn't see Yang Yilin's mistakes. This just goes to show that we cannot necessarily trust our own eyes or NBC. In the end, despite the possibly flawed judging system, I would still trust that over the biased American media and even my own eyes.

Answer 1

It's pretty bad and unprofessional.  You're not supposed to show obvious bias towards anyone during the Olympic Games.  NBC theoretically is expected to be even less biased because they blocked out all other possibilities to watch the Games via dish.  But they obviously blocked out all other possibilities for more money, not for the fans.

And so we are left with them showing Liukin every other scene, and totally blowing off all of the other competitors.  How angry would you be if you were Romanian, wanting to watch your gymnast compete on the uneven bars, and all the announcers do is talk about how Liukin was robbed and just blow off the Romanian as not a threat?  It's ridiculous.  I watch everything online that I can, as the lack of commentary is really refreshing, but of course the only way to watch gymnastics is through the crappy NBC coverage.  Of course, it's not only crappy coverage, but coverage initially blacked out and shown 12 hours later.

I hope NBC loses a lot of money and can't do this ever again.

Answer 2

Mute is looking like a GREAT option in my house as well--and not just for gymnastics.  It is everything.  The broadcasters seem to think they are not allowed to NOT talk.  Let these athletes perform!!!  We DO NOT need them to tell us everything.  Sheesh!

Sorry about the rant but this is getting frustrating.  Yes I think it is biased because it is a source of contention.  It is more than just one time happening here so it is a culmination of all of the "questionable" marks.

This is the first year also that I have noticed that the team competition was only shown for US an China--cause they are favored,  With just a touch of Russia and Romania.  Granted, I am a little irritated when I do not get to see the Americans compete in entirety because they are my home country, but I love this sport and look so forward to seeing what all the other countries are doing as well.  Did this bother anyone else?  What is a competition when you don't get to see what is going on!!??!!

Answer 3

You missed the end of Yang Yilin's landing - she stepped.  

Nastia had the better performance.

Answer 4

Most broadcasters are biased to the home team.  All 32 NFL football teams have a radio team who sees or do not see a key penalty based on whether it helps or hurts.  The one sportsmanship shortcoming of the U.S.- NBC broadcast team is the easy acceptance of an all NBA lineup that is leading to the out-sized margins of victory.   I am sorry but sport is the spirit of the games.  Not rolling the other teams.  It seems absurd to me.   There is an editorial running on Yahoo right now asking if the Michael Jordon team or the Kobe Bryant team is better?   Is is really important?  The U.S. has a terrible attitude about winning and nothing else.  I would abolish the games until some form amateur status is restored.  I know it is not just the U.S.   But, the payroll of the NBA team is obscene.  Similar to the old Soviet approach the games.  Every athlete was in the Red Army!  

Answer 5

They are, I totally agree. When it comes to America's mistakes, they don't seem to like to elaborate on it as much as the other countries.