In Depth
NBC Faces Olympic Pirates
Net’s Safeguards Can’t Eradicate Video Theft
While NBC said it has implemented tools and forged relationships with Web sites to reduce its exposure to piracy during the Beijing Olympics, a leading piracy expert predicts that millions of Internet users around the world will view illegal clips of the global sporting event over the next two weeks anyway.
“There will probably be a steady stream of pirate copies of these various events, and for each event you will have a handful of rogue versions,” said Eric Garland, CEO of media measurement firm Big Champagne and a well-known digital piracy expert.
“But for some moments from the Games, instant-replay types, they will be viewed millions of times, including unauthorized clips on DailyMotion, YouTube, streaming sites and others … in ways that weren’t paid for by broadcasters who have secured exclusive rights.”
NBC said the key to curbing piracy is making the coverage broadly available through legal outlets across broadcast, cable, video-on-demand, mobile phones and online with 2,200 hours of live event coverage at NBColympics.com.
But legal distribution doesn’t deter Internet scofflaws. The anticipated flood of illegal Games clips underscores the challenges networks and media companies face when repurposing their programming for the Web. That’s because online viewers often expect video to be available everywhere online. When content isn’t, some Web users taken it upon themselves to do the copying and distribution.
The piracy measures NBC is taking include digital watermarking to “tag” the coverage. An NBC spokesman said the network and its broadcast partners are tagging all the video that NBC originates from the Olympics.
That can help track offenders, said Russell Zack, VP of product management at Anystream, one of the vendors handling online and television technology for NBC’s Olympics effort.
“That acts as a forensic stamp you can track back to the last place it came from and it’ll give you hints as to what system it came from,” he said.
But a digital fingerprint is not a preventive measure, he cautioned. “It’s an investigative measure, so when NBC finds it on a user-generated site it can be taken down and traced back to where the original pirate took it from.”
NBC also has charged a handful of employees with scouring the Web every day to look for pirated videos from the Olympics. When those videos are found, the network will send a take-down notice to the site, NBC said.
The network also expects its employees across the broadcast, cable, stations and other divisions to keep an eye out for Olympics video in places where those clips shouldn’t be.
That applies to YouTube, the world’s biggest video-sharing site, which delivered 4 billion streams to 72 million unique visitors in June, according to Nielsen Online. NBC has been participating in YouTube’s copyright filtering system and will continue to do so for the Olympics. Under that process, NBC flags videos in advance; if those videos are uploaded, the system is designed to kick them back.
YouTube inked a deal last week with the International Olympic Committee to deliver Olympics video to 77 territories where digital rights have not been sold, such as Afghanistan.
On Friday, YouTube also announced its Summer Games YouTube Channel, which offers Games-related content from providers other than NBC, such as Reuters and the Associated Press.
In addition, the IOC has a channel on YouTube at youtube.com/beijing2008, but those videos are not accessible in the United States. Also, the IOC is using YouTube’s copyright filtering technology to manage its content during the event.
Despite these measures, Internet users are likely to find videos on pirate sites and peer-to-peer TV forums, including peer-to-peer streaming sites originating from China, live video sites such as Stickam and Justin.tv, Torrent sites such as the Pirate Bay and foreign TV, according to the Web site NewTeeVee.com.
“The Internet is fundamentally the enemy of scarcity,” Mr. Garland said. “The Internet leaks like a sieve.”
(Daisy Whitney contributes on-air reports to NBC TV stations in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.)
Leave a comment
Comments 122
nev
NBC sucks! they only broadcast sports USA is in.
They should be puting EVERY SINGLE EVENT online on hulu or alike that puts advertisements on (yes... they can't argue that they are loosing money due to users not seeing ads)
Jain
NBC likes to think that it brings the Olympic into American homes. Let's look at this closely. NBC monopolizes the Olympic. The American public gets to see only what NBC thinks are money makers for NBC. In other words, NBC shows sports in which American athletes get medals and their endorsed advertisements. What's wrong with watching other countries compete? Where's the love for the games themselves? From watching what's on TV, you would think the Olympic consists of swimming, gymnastics, basketball, tennis, and a few other sports. What the American public gets is getting shafted by NBC.
Marko
I went to the NBC website and tried to watch their videos of Olympic events, but got a message that since I'm outside the U.S. I can't watch. Why not? I'm more than happy to look at any advertising they want to show me.
So where do I go next? Bittorrent, of course. And they wonder why there's so much piracy. What morons.
dglefforge
I WILL NOT GIVE NBC ANY OF MY TIME SO GLAAD I GET AND LIVE RIGHT OUT SIDE OF CANDIAN BOARDER!! I SAY THE HELL WITH NBC THEY MESS EVERYTHING UP AND COMMIG BACK WITH ALL THE FLOPS OF LAST YEAR THEY MAY TRY AND GET THE JUMP ON EVERONE ELSE THE WILL STLL FALL FLAT!! SO LONG NBC!!!! NEVER WILL CHIME IN YOUR FOR THE BIRDS!!
Rain Day
So, NBC's unhappy with viewers for NOT wanting to settle for NBC's 'packaged version' of the Olympics? It just HAS to be those darned pirates that are the problem, right?
Yet, on top of the problems other commentors have listed, NBC has also deliberately shut out millions of viewers by making their online offering available only to those who run Microsoft Windows, and then they must use some kind of Windows-only player (called Silverlight, I think) to access NBC's DRM-encumbered Olympic content.
NBC can make all the deals they want, in an effort to own Olympic content, but they don't own the Olympics, and those that wish to watch them, in full, without NBC's creative editing, will find a way to do so.
NBC just needs to get a clue, and stop throwing the word "piracy" at the world for not wanting their Olympics (or anything else, for that matter) to be delivered in homogenized pasteurized advertised censorized little packages that are shinkwrapped with DRM.
undrgrndwmn
I agree with the others -- NBC sucks. Their soft-focus athlete human interest stories are repellant! Way too much time has spent with the athletes talking about those love lives. I don't give a frak about that. I'm only interested in what makes them do what they do and how they excel to this extent.
You have to wonder why NBC is fighting so hard to keep videos off YouTube and similar sites. Where are they going to obtain additional revenues for these clips? People will still turn to NBC's own website to watch clips and/or streams of non-broadcast events, but there are some moments that NBC won't see fit to rebroadcast that could still be of interest to others.
This policy seems extremely petty to me, as well as decidedly unsavvy and unwise. Buzz is generated by the YouTubes of the world these days. Sure, throw clips up on hula, if you want to be greedy, but letting clips flourish online would be the best free advertising NBC could get, imo.
Plus, the Olympics is singular in the world of sport for its historical and cultural significance. Especially with the import of these Chinese games, it is frustrating not to be able to share key moments with friends -- moments like George Bush saying to Bob Costas that he told Putin that the violence in Georgia was "unacceptable" and that China would change in part due to the viral power of religion. Or that creepy moment in the opening ceremony when those soldiers received the Chinese flag from the beautiful, smiling children.
I also noticed with some frustration while watching gymnastics that NBC doesn't see fit to broadcast the individual scores for non-US athletes, at least not during the qualification round. That seems churlish in the extreme to me as well as just being annoying. The Olympics is about individual achievement as well as all the other BS that people speak of all the time. I'm genuinely curious about how these athletes scored, especially since the scoring system is brand new this year and confusing even to analysts.
P. Lee
Of course the online coverage is terrible. NBC is a BROADCAST company, it is not going to have the best coverage online. Hey NBC, at least have the sports you are not covering on your confusing schedule. Oh, and your UI sucks up the wazhoo!
dglefforge
I HOPE DUE TO NBC BEING SH=UCH ASSHLOES THEY FALL FLAT ON THIER FACES!! DOWN AND DONE WITH ANYTHING NBC!! THEY WILL JUST NEVER WAKE UP!! AFTER SO MANY YEARS IN THE BASEMENT YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD LEARN!!
fan
"Their soft-focus athlete human interest stories are repellant! Way too much time has spent with the athletes talking about those love lives. I don't give a frak about that."
Amen. I quit watching years ago because of that garbage. FYI, just moved overseas from US, and they cable company added six channels, covering all the sports, with none of the "my mom drove me at 6am every day, I love her so much" crap, FREE OF CHARGE.
I'm remembering why I used to enjoy watching Olympics now!
Helen Cantell
Why so much coverage of the Chinese? All we see
is the USA vs.China. What of the other countries?
What of other sports besides Vollebally? Waterpolo?
When will we see American Female gold winners on
the podium? We seem to be covering all the Asian
countries..China, Japan. What of the European
nations where great athletes also exist?
And, too many commercials. After every small move
the athletes make there are at least 4 commercials
we endure.
Asdy
The coverage really sucks. I totally understand if they want to highlight the competitions where US is performing well but I just can't stand the re-runs of those clips [like Michael Phelp's "fingernail win" in the 100m butterfly. I swear I've seen that clip on NBC's coverage like a dozen times already when there are some other live sports going on!].
And then, they were like "who's going to be the fastest man in the world? Coming up next...". Errr, I think they already ran the race like 12 hours ago!
WhatsWrongWithYouAll
Wow, I haven't seen this many uninformed opinions in one place in a long time. Do any of you check your "facts" or actually read the article you're commenting on?
Here are a few facts:
1. NBC is only offering Internet coverage for the U.S. because IOC only sold it the rights for U.S. coverage. It's not NBC's fault those are the rules that IOC made. If they didn't want to enforce those rules, the IOC would just sell broadcast rights to somebody else - CBS, ABC, Fox, etc.
2. If you had actually read the article, you would've noticed it says that NBC is only policing pirated content that's been yanked from THEIR site. They're not trying to police the Olympics. They don't give a damn if somebody posts BBC's Olympics videos on YouTube.
3. Silverlight is a cross-platform plugin. It works on Mac OS too. And WMP plugin is still an alternative option for Windows users.
4. NBC Olympics videos aren't DRM protected. Linux users have already figured out how to grab the streaming server URL and watch the streams.
Bootleg movies
This post is actually pretty great. Im looking for a project to volunteer in but i don't really know where to opt to for finding projects. i guess im in a rut!
the day the earth stood still
if every editor wrote like you believe me the world would be a better place! this was an excellent read expecting more!
Laeah
NBC sucks this year, seriously!! There hasn't been one podium clip, even though America has won gold and silver. That's one of my favorite parts because you get to see how happy the medalists are and it's pretty moving to hear the national anthem and see all their hard work pay off and it's no where to be seen.That is the part that seriously annoys me. And the fact that they can't seem to have anything live even though we are in the same freaking time zone is ridiculous. I look online and it's pointless to watch anymore because I already know who won!!
But the reason there are so many Asians (why is anyone offended by that? lol) is because they excel at winter sports too. I don't see why they can't be shown on TV either. Korea is pretty much the best at short track, so of course they will get air time. And China and Japan are good at the skiing and short track/long track stuff too.
replica Breitling
If you're still on the fence: grab your favorite earphones, head down to a Best Buy and ask to plug them into a Zune then an iPod and see which one sounds better to you, and which interface makes you smile more. Then you'll know which is right for you.
Clifton Wessells
Definitely like the responsiveness, Gap Requests Facebook Users for Optional Creations to Derided New Logo.
Cody Mondello
Enjoy the responsiveness, Gap Requests Facebook Fanatics for Alternate Varieties to Derided New Logo.
value shoe lifts
Lohan Will Go to Rehabilitation Today, 1 month later she will be back at it. Pity for the "star struck" courts for making it possible for this lady to ruin her lifetime. At this time she ought to get penalties not rehab.
Shoe Lifts
There can be a terror signal for Us citizens traveling in Europe. Yet somehow the joke’s on you, terrorists – we cannot find the money to travel to Eu!
cheap nhl jerseys
You are such an amazing writer. Wishing you a strength and peace that surpasses all understanding as you continue to walk the high road … you are amazing, and I honor you for being YOU! You represent grace and dignity … with a smile that melts anyone blessed to be on the receiving end of it. God Bless you Always, Carrie!!!!
Shoe Lifts
What can you think about Phil Jackson's comments just saying Barcelona lacking level enough to perform in the Nba when they could beat Lakers?
Link Building
This is the best blog I've ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.
Link Building
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply back as I'm looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks
Link Building Services
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
Seo Services
I love the way you write and also the theme on your blog. Did you code this yourself or was it done by a professional? I'm very very impressed.
Seo Services
Way to focus and straight to your point, i love it. Keep up the work people. Dont let anyone stop us bloggers.
Get Backlinks
Nice!! Great Ifo. Great People. Great Blog. Thank you for all the great sharing that is being done here.
Link Building Services
Hey how are you doing? I just wanted to stop by and say that it's been a pleasure reading your blog. I have bookmarked your website so that I can come back & read more in the future as well. plz do keep up the quality writing
Los Angeles Home Inspection
Kudos to you! This is a really good blog here and I love your style of writing. How did you get so good at blogging?
Link Building Services
You make blogging look like a walk in the park! I've been trying to blog daily but I just cant find writing material.. you're an inspiration to me and i'm sure many others!
Freddy Laurita
Hi the info on this blog is just incredible it keeps me coming back time and time again ,personally i met my wife using this site so i couldnt love it any more i have done my best to to word out about this site as i know that others need to read this thing ,thankyou for all the time spent in making this fabulous blog ! ok,cheers James
Buy Backlinks
Great blog!! You should start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned :)
Backlinks
Nice!! Great Ifo. Great People. Great Blog. Thank you for all the great sharing that is being done here.
Organic Food
I love the expression. Everyone needs to express there own opinion and feel free to hear others. Keep it up :)
Fake Cheap Handbags
Fake Cheap Handbags at affordable prices also be purchased in bulk if you plan to resale or retail. In these days, not just business, because he wants things also tend to slightly more money, you can use to make buying more.
Buy Backlinks
Kudos to you! This is a really good blog here and I love your style of writing. How did you get so good at blogging?
Myspace Promotion
Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.
movies playing
Nice Movie, I'm really loving this Movie, actors and actris for this movie, as well as the excellent trailers.
PHP Team
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it's rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.. :)
Backlinks
This is the best blog I've ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.
Link Building
Great wordpress blog here.. It's hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care and see you soon
Buy Backlinks
Great blog!! You should start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned :)
Backlinks
This is the best blog I've ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.
Link Building
Neat blog layout! Very easy on the eyes.. i like the colors you picked out
biver
keep
Free Microsoft Office Online Training
Hey how are you doing? I just wanted to stop by and say that it's been a pleasure reading your blog. I have bookmarked your website so that I can come back & read more in the future as well. plz do keep up the quality writing
Buy Backlinks
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
Link Building Services
Great wordpress blog here.. It's hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care and see you soon
Davonax Press
excellent blog. I as well woud likes To create a url but routinely The advice is every so big or smaller. Is There a web site which could help me experience great niches.? I want how to find a website which will list brand new trends on-line and offline. new offerings which might be marketed. something positive I may write blogs regarding or lens at. Ho did end users pick The themes being Your New homepage?
Link Building
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply back as I'm looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks
Designer Luxury Handbags
Buy Coach Designer Luxury Handbags are the luxury of the highest rating that any woman can choose to enjoy. Bus models more than one wife can be imagined.
Discount Knockoff Handbags
Fashion is still a staple at all, with or without the global economic slowdown. The need for fashionable or less modern look has never taken out of their way of life for all. The economic crisis has changed the way of fashion, so that many customers to be profitable when it comes to their style of shopping. Today people take the time to compare, price tags. You are looking for the best discounts and offers sometimes wait before buying or gifts. The Internet has become the most profitable alternative for shopping, there is no limit on the same high quality components in your shop, anyway. With Wholesale Discount Knockoff Handbags Dropshipping You can even buy at the lowest, even with objects of design.
Link Building Services
I love the expression. Everyone needs to express there own opinion and feel free to hear others. Keep it up :)
Link Building
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
Backlinks
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy.
Link Building
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
Get Backlinks
Love the blog here. Nice colors. I am definitely staying tuned to this one. Hope to see more.
Buy Links
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy.
Auto Traffic Hijack
That's really a terrific page. An guide such as this highlights how greatly the style is known by article author.
flirt
I like your blog.
Diuretic foods
Thanks for ones write-up I really learned one thing from it. Excellent posts on this website Often looking forward to new post.
Web Design Phoenix
Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.
Phoenix Web Design
This is the best blog I've ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.
Web Design Phoenix
Great blog!! You should start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned :)
Sabah Travel
Sorry for the huge review, but I'm really loving the new Zune, and hope this, as well as the excellent reviews some other people have written, will help you decide if it's the right choice for you.
Web Designer Phoenix
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
Web Designer Phoenix
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
Web Designer Phoenix
Dreamin. I love blogging. You all express your feelings the right way, because they are your feeling, focus on your blog it is great.
Link Building
I really like the colors here on your blog. did you design this yourself or did you outsource it to a professional?
Buy Links
I would like to start my own blog one day. This was a really nice blog that you made here. Keep up the success :P
Backlinks
This is the best blog I've ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.
Buy Links
Great blog!! You should start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned :)
mac video recorder
About TIME - There is a new mac video capture program available here: Mac Video Capture
Singapore Business Directory Freelancer Listings Classifieds
Keep focusing on your blog. I love how we can all express our feelings. This is an extremely nice blog here :)
Link Building
I really like the colors here on your blog. did you design this yourself or did you outsource it to a professional?
katalog stron www
you bought an incredibly distinct webpage, Gladiola I noticed it via google.
Voyance En Ligne
Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!
Larisa Montville
*While I have to disagree on some parts, but in the end I still really liked it.
Link Building Services
I love the expression. Everyone needs to express there own opinion and feel free to hear others. Keep it up :)
Backlinks
Interesting thoughts here. I appreciate you taking the time to share them with us all. It's people like you that make my day :)
Yaktrax Pro
Way to focus and straight to your point, i love it. Keep up the work people. Dont let anyone stop us bloggers.
Sexy Movie
Hey how are you doing? I just wanted to stop by and say that it's been a pleasure reading your blog. I have bookmarked your website so that I can come back & read more in the future as well. plz do keep up the quality writing
Debt Collectors
I would like to start my own blog one day. This was a really nice blog that you made here. Keep up the success :P
Backlinks
Great wordpress blog here.. It's hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care and see you soon
Link Building
Dreamin. I love blogging. You all express your feelings the right way, because they are your feeling, focus on your blog it is great.
Link Building Services
Hey how are you doing? I just wanted to stop by and say that it's been a pleasure reading your blog. I have bookmarked your website so that I can come back & read more in the future as well. plz do keep up the quality writing
power balance australia
Thanks for sharing such useful information.
Las Vegas Seo
Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.
Debt Collectors
Great wordpress blog here.. It's hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care and see you soon
Wynell Wanek
I need to say your site is interesting I really like your theme! Today I don’t have the free of charge time at the current moment to fully look via your sitebut I’ve bookmarked it. I will be back in a day or 2 . Many thanks for a good website.
Collection Agencies
Kudos to you! This is a really good blog here and I love your style of writing. How did you get so good at blogging?
Customer Service jobs
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply back as I'm looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks
Golf Club Shafts
I agree with your thoughts here and I really love your blog! I've bookmarked it so that I can come back & read more in the future.
Golf Chippers
This is the best blog I've ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.
Link Building Services
Dreamin. I love blogging. You all express your feelings the right way, because they are your feeling, focus on your blog it is great.
Charlie Zerangue
*Whats happening
download youtube
Have you tried freecorder before for downloading youtube? If so - got any feedback? Would love to hear your review.
Seo Services
Great wordpress blog here.. It's hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care and see you soon
Buy Links
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it's rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.. :)
lcd for sale
I love the journalism relevancy of your site and it does a sweet decent job of presenting the info.
Kristel Erskin
Hey! I like holidays, so I have to wish you and your family happy and Merry Christmas. I hope that new year will be very enjoying for you. Could I tell you something? I have read this article and if I may I want propse you some intresting things or advice. Perhaps you could create next posts connected to this article. I want to read next things about it! I will come again and read the newest of your texts.
Backlinks
Great wordpress blog here.. It's hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care and see you soon
Backlinks
High quality info here! Keep up the great work. I love the feelings being expressed.
Backlinks
Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!
Issac Maez
Hands down, Apple's app store wins by a mile. It's a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, especially in the realm of games, but I'm not sure I'd want to bet on the future if this aspect is important to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.
UGG Boots UK
Thank you for utilizing the time and effort to put in writing one thing which is invokinThank you for utilizing the time and energy to put in writing some thing so fascinating.
juicy couture sale
I recently came across your weblog and also have been studying along. I thought I'd go away my quite very first remark. Good blog site. I'll maintain v isiting th is internet web-site incredibly frequently.
Backlinks
Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!
Buy Backlinks
Kudos to you! This is a really good blog here and I love your style of writing. How did you get so good at blogging?
Get Backlinks
I love the way you write and also the theme on your blog. Did you code this yourself or was it done by a professional? I'm very very impressed.
Link Building
Love the blog here. Nice colors. I am definitely staying tuned to this one. Hope to see more.
Buy Backlinks
Dreamin. I love blogging. You all express your feelings the right way, because they are your feeling, focus on your blog it is great.
Backlinks
Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!
Link Building
Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.
Paketresor
Nicely written, it is quite unusual to read stuff that actually is worth checking out nowadays :)
Link Building
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
Get Backlinks
Interesting thoughts here. I appreciate you taking the time to share them with us all. It's people like you that make my day :)
Xnxx
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
Porn
Nice!! Great Ifo. Great People. Great Blog. Thank you for all the great sharing that is being done here.
Seo Services
Way to focus and straight to your point, i love it. Keep up the work people. Dont let anyone stop us bloggers.
PornTube
Dreamin. I love blogging. You all express your feelings the right way, because they are your feeling, focus on your blog it is great.