Before the Olympics started, there was a whole chorus of critics complaining about the cable subscription authentication. They were right to complain, but even if you're a cable subscriber, you're going to get a shitty experience. Here's four reasons:
1. Shitty iOS apps
On the first load of the app, and about every subsequent screen, you're reminded of who's bringing you this terrible, god-awful experience: Citibank is a "Proud sponsor" (is there such thing as a "regretful sponsor"?). It's fair, because it really feels like Live Extra was made with Citi's intention in mind: to be on the screen every second during a viewing.
Oh, and one more thing (but this probably won't surprise you): Like AirPlay on iOS? Hahahaha, says NBC, you won't be able to watch it the way you want to, asshole!
2. Fucking pre-roll ads
It's not just bad for mobile device users, it's bad for where it'll get watched the most: on desktop computers. Every event comes with a pre-roll ad. A particular event I clicked on showed a mind-boggling six advertisements only to show that there was no activity going on at the site of the event. The hell?!
3. Fucking banner ads
So, say you want to watch an event in full-screen in 1080p (a resolution you will not be able to get anywhere else but the Internet).Well, you can't.
Honestly, in hindsight, I can hear Mark Lazarus giggling maniacally from here.
You can't get rid of YouTube's usually non-offensive player controller or a large bar across the top advertising (duh) Citibank and a scrolling ticker of other live events. Hey, I clicked the button to WATCH AN EVENT. Not be told to WATCH OTHER EVENTS.
Using AirPlay Mirroring to mirror your laptop to the Apple TV is just a dumb thing to do.
4. This is never going to change, is it?
This is the same old story, really. The Winter Olympics in 2010 were just as awful. Even though it was powered by Silverlight instead of Flash, the videos still were wrapped in banner ads and just delivered on a consistently terrible experience for viewers.
And yet, we'll watch. We'll watch because it's the most convenient way to watch the Olympics on something other than a television. But NBC should know that watching the Olympics on a shitty YouTube player. NBC is being condescending to its viewers in so many ways.
During the next few weeks, if you get the sneaking suspicion that NBC is trying to make you watch the Olympics on television, you're right.