Mary Louise Kelly, host of NPR, recently had a conversation with Stephen Thompson, host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, about the TV coverage of the Olympic Games. While Minna and other skateboarders were competing in Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the background, Stephen was following along from his couch outside Washington, D.C. The conversation shed light on the various ways people can keep up with the Olympics, even if they are not physically present at the event.
Stephen mentioned that he has been using NBC, Peacock, social media, and memes to stay updated on the Olympic Games. He highlighted Peacock’s Gold Zone, which offers real-time highlights and jumps around to different events, similar to the NFL Redzone channel. This feature has allowed him to choose which events to watch and explore sports that he may not be familiar with.
When asked about what NBC and Peacock could do better in their coverage, Stephen pointed out that they tend to focus heavily on U.S. superstars and familiar sports, sometimes overshadowing other performances. The coverage can be U.S.-centric, especially during the primetime broadcasts, which may lead to a lack of coverage for athletes from other countries who win gold or silver medals.
Commentary plays a significant role in enhancing the viewing experience of the Olympics, especially for sports that viewers may not understand. Stephen emphasized the importance of commentators providing context, explaining the sport, and humanizing the athletes. He praised Laurie Hernandez, a former Olympic gymnast, for her excellent commentary that adds depth and perspective to the games.
In conclusion, the conversation between Mary Louise Kelly and Stephen Thompson highlighted the different ways people can keep up with the Olympic Games through TV coverage, streaming services, and social media. While there are areas for improvement in the coverage, such as reducing U.S. centricity and providing more context in commentary, the overall experience of watching the Olympics has been enriched by the diverse platforms available for viewers to engage with the games.