NBCU to shut down The Olympic Channel

[Mediafrog+]

https://www.thewrap.com/nbcu-olympic-channel-shuttered/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking_news_5811420

 

[Mikey Radio]

Not terribly unexpected. First, as has been highlighted on several other RadioDiscussions threads, there is a big push to move a lot of content to streaming platforms and services, but also, for the last 2 Olympic Games, which were almost back to back due to the impact of the pandemic on the timing, we saw all the coverage and the contests we were interested in, and we never once switched on the Olympic Channel. Actually, I believe that specific channel was blocked and unavailable to us as it required a subscription. NBC had plenty of coverage via their NBC stations and on networks like USA, and we watched most everything via replays on Peacock Plus, as we were unable to watch a lot of stuff we were interested in during the live coverage for whatever reason. Comcast and Cox customers get Peacock plus for free, and we didn't need to use a laptop or streaming device, as Comcast on-demand allowed customers to access most all the replays (and fast forward through parts they weren't interested in) via their cable box.

The other facet of all this is, if I'm not mistaken, ratings for the winter Olympics were pretty horrible due to a number of factors, including the fact that the covid-delayed summer games had just taken place several months earlier.

 

[TheBigA]

Obviously part of their transition away from traditional cable "channels" and more towards subscription streaming. Just like the NBC Sports Channel, it'll probably just go dark.

These companies such as NBCUniversal, Viacom, and Discovery/Warner have spent so much time & money acquiring these cable channels and expanding the cable world. Now the whole system is moving OTT and making these channels obsolete.

 

[CTListener]

More content for Peacock, which already shows skiing, track and field, swimming and other sports that generally grab significant attention in this country around Olympics time.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Not terribly unexpected. First, as has been highlighted on several other RadioDiscussions threads, there is a big push to move a lot of content to streaming platforms and services, but also, for the last 2 Olympic Games, which were almost back to back due to the impact of the pandemic on the timing, we saw all the coverage and the contests we were interested in, and we never once switched on the Olympic Channel. Actually, I believe that specific channel was blocked and unavailable to us as it required a subscription. NBC had plenty of coverage via their NBC stations and on networks like USA, and we watched most everything via replays on Peacock Plus, as we were unable to watch a lot of stuff we were interested in during the live coverage for whatever reason. Comcast and Cox customers get Peacock plus for free, and we didn't need to use a laptop or streaming device, as Comcast on-demand allowed customers to access most all the replays (and fast forward through parts they weren't interested in) via their cable box.

The other facet of all this is, if I'm not mistaken, ratings for the winter Olympics were pretty horrible due to a number of factors, including the fact that the covid-delayed summer games had just taken place several months earlier.

Also a few years ago NBC shut down NBC Sports Net the national edition as part of the move to promote Peacock too. Not Shocking to hear Olympic Channel shutting down.

 

[itsTheRolyPoly]

Also a few years ago NBC shut down NBC Sports Net the national edition as part of the move to promote Peacock too. Not Shocking to hear Olympic Channel shutting down.

That was only this past December 31st so only six months or so since its been shut down.

 

[Marcos_C]

To be clear, it is the NBC Olympics-owned American version of Olympic Channel that is shutting down. A separate international version of Olympic Channel will still be in operation. I am guessing that, in October, the international version will replace the American version on both the website and the app of the Olympics. For now, Olympic Channel (International) is available by setting your VPN to any country except the US. That channel does not require a cable subscription.

 

[CommunicationsMajor]

I tried to watch the Tokyo games on Peacock. When I watch the summer games I only actively watch one event women's artistic gymnastics. I did watch some of it on NBC and some on Peacock. It would just cutoff. I know my internet is bad, but this was on their side. It said there was a break and it was coming back. It never did. I turned it off out of frustration.

 

[blackgold]

Peacock is going to die on the vine! NBC's streaming service will be dead by the end of the year, so what's gonna happen then?

 

[Will_H_69_9]

Peacock is going to die on the vine! NBC's streaming service will be dead by the end of the year, so what's gonna happen then?

i really don't see that happening cause of live sports rights like MLB's Sunday morning/early afternoon game, WWE's streaming content, Premier League, IndyCar and a couple of other exclusive, besides Hulu is more likely to die before Peacock cause NBCUniversal will sale their shares to Disney allowing then to merge it into Disney Plus.

 

[CommunicationsMajor]

i really don't see that happening cause of live sports rights like MLB's Sunday morning/early afternoon game, WWE's streaming content, Premier League, IndyCar and a couple of other exclusive, besides Hulu is more likely to die before Peacock cause NBCUniversal will sale their shares to Disney allowing then to merge it into Disney Plus.

I subscribe to Peacock mostly for their WWE content. I do watch other things on there like cartoons and stuff. The main thing I watch is WWE programming.