Opening Olympics ceremony video online, but not on NBC

Updated 1:00 p.m. PDT, with initial impressions of video experience on NBCOlympics.com.

Although NBC is holding back online video of the opening ceremonies until its TV broadcast Friday night, some other sites have started posting unofficial videos.

As many had predicted, the Internet refuses to adhere to a schedule. I did a quick peek this morning and found a radio station news site with video from the opening ceremonies, even though the official NBCOlympics.com site has only photos.

NBC is showing 2,200 hours of live video but is holding back certain marquee events, such as opening ceremonies, track and field, and women's gymnastics, until after they air on TV.

Although it's a big step from the 2006 Winter Games, when only a single game was shown online, critics like Henry Blodget have been griping that it's not enough.

What do you think?

Update: Well, I wasn't able to watch the ceremonies via NBC's site, but I did check out several of the highlights packages from men's soccer. There was also the full U.S. women's soccer game. Again--as a sports fan--I wish there was an option not to see the scores as I navigate to the games.

Even worse, if I'd managed to somehow navigate there without getting the score, they display the end result at the top of the screen throughout the video. I sincerely hope they halt that.

Tops on my list for 2012 would be something like NBCOlympics.com/noscores where you could choose on-demand video without having to see the result.

Disclosure: CNET News is published by CBS Interactive.

Click here for more stories on tech and the Beijing Olympics.

[gar3mar3]

The full opening ceremony is already available to anyone who has access to Canadian television channels so I don't know what NBC thinks they are keeping secret as many U.S. residents would have this ability.

[sanjayb]

Also the CBC provides a fairly neutral account of the games. Not NBC with their raw raw raw America this America that coverage.

[inachu]

Just view it in winamp streaming TV.
I am so tired of content from the Olympics removed whereas over streamed content nothing is edited and free to watch which is REAL FREE SPEECH

[jrjreed]

Thank you for your liveleak of the Olympics. At this time I cannot afford both the internet and cable TV. I chose to have the internet and am amazed and disappointed that I could not watch the opening ceremony. Tears streamed down my face as I realize that I live in America and cannot watch one of the greatest moments in history because I don't have enough money.

[The_Decider]

Why would you be shocked? The US is wrapped up in greed, past the point where the value of a person depends on his bank account balance.

[jrjreed]

Thank you for your liveleak of the Olympics. At this time I cannot afford both the internet and cable TV. I chose to have the internet and am amazed and disappointed that I could not watch the opening ceremony. Tears streamed down my face as I realize that I live in America and cannot watch one of the greatest moments in history because I don't have enough money.

[punterjoe]

I'm a bit perplexed at NBC's approach to online olympic coverage. I usually use a Ubuntu system for online activities, but the silverlight content aborted that option. When I cranked up my XP notebook & installed silverlight I was questioned as to my zipcode and cable/satellite provider. Sure I could have lied & said anything, but opting tor the novelty of honesty, admitting that I get my TV over the air, made me ineligible to watch NBC's streams. Brilliant business plan. Good luck with that NBC.

[DrtyDogg]

I was wondering why they asked that, that sucks.

[hypopig]

Tears streamed down my face when I realized there are people in America without housing, enough food, medical coverage, money for retirement, etc., but there are idiots on the internets whining about how "rough" their lives are. This guy cries a lot too: <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4ozVMxzNAA" target="_newWindow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4ozVMxzNAA</a>

[johndains]

OVGuide has a lot of sources for Olympic video and special section just for it <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.OVGuide.com/olympics" target="_newWindow">http://www.OVGuide.com/olympics</a>

[The_Decider]

NBC has sucked the spirit from the Olympics, it is no longer worth watching filtered through corporate media.

[tamanina2]

I've read all of these comments except no one really mentioned exactly WHERE I can see the opening ceremonies. My mom went into the hospital into ICU on Friday so she didn't get to see them. I saw bits and pieces, however, I'd even buy a DVD if they offered it. I enjoyed what I saw so much. Anyway, if anybody knows where I can download or buy, I'd appreciate the info. Thanks.

[DrtyDogg]

It's on NBColympics.com now. They just held it up until after it aird on TV.

[fredmenace]

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.watch-olympics-online.co.cc/watch.php?vid=Opening-Ceremonies" target="_newWindow">http://www.watch-olympics-online.co.cc/watch.php?vid=Opening-Ceremonies</a>

Eurosport (in German) - no thanks to NBC (who have tried their best to prevent anyone from watching them)

[tundey]

I heard that NBC paid almost $1billion for the exclusive broadcast rights to the Olympics. Why shouldn't they try to make money off it? As it I think they've done a GREAT job showing live coverage of some of the fringe events or major events involving fringe countries on their website. Nothing beats watching LIVE Olympic soccer at 7:45am :)

[Kediset]

bah.. it's annoying that on nbc you click link to see what vids you can see of the Olympics and the ceremony footage is listed but when you click it you get the message that you can't see it cause you're not in the US.. what are they trying to pull?