TV Networks gearing up for Summer Olympics

The Summer Olympics are a perfect test for any media outlet that wants to show its stuff across multiple platforms. The Olympics presents a 2 ½-week multi-event challenge to TV networks like NBC in the US and the BBC in the host territory, the UK. Both entities will be utilizing multiple TV channels, an array of online assets and enhanced mobile apps to deliver the maximum amount of content to the audience. Multiple platforms are great to supplement live coverage with bios, interviews, behind-the-scenes content and highlights. But the Olympics provide the additional challenge of various events happening simultaneously, so the extra platforms make it possible for viewers to see any event live.

BBC has just announced <http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18071080>  that it will be utilizing digital technology to the fullest this year in order to deliver viewers "the most comprehensive coverage ever of an Olympic Games." This means that in addition to enhanced television coverage, every event from every venue will be broadcast on 24 simultaneous live streams via the BBC sport website. Also debuting is an Olympics app that will allow viewers to tune into the games through their mobile devices or tablets. Other digital features will include interactive coverage, live Twitter updates, radio coverage, and live data and statistics.

In the US, NBC Universal has equally ambitious plans…and in two languages.