Dear Mods,
I wish you would just shut that thread down. People keep posting on it that we can go to this web site or that web site and download all sorts of things that will let us watch the NBC or BBC live streams of various equestrian events.
Most of those links they post are dead-ends. It’s like a maze. If you get to the site, the application someone has told you to download isn’t even there, or, if it is there, it isn’t free.
No one has bothered to include that little bit of info.
Somebody did post about something called the Ex-Pat Shield, but they did not bother to post a link to it, and when I finally found it, it wasn’t free.
The bottom line is, if someone has cable or satellite that they are paying for, they can watch the live streams. If you’re not already paying for cable or satellite, you can’t watch the live streams unless you pay for the application that will let you hack through the blocks.
I have just spent 3 incredibly frustrating days trying everything suggested in the “Live Stream Links” thread so that I too could watch the equestrian events I should have been able to watch on TV. I have followed the links COTHers posted. I have done my own searches.
Now the 3-day is over and I have seen about 10 seconds of Zara and her horse jumping about 5 cross country fences, because NBC just flashed a clip up on the TV screen.
I just think it is wrong, and not very kind, to start some thread that purports to let us watch this stuff and then to let other non-Mod people post crap. I think it would have been better not to dangle the carrot in the first place.
Very frustrating and disheartening experience. 
On the other hand, plenty of us were able to access the feeds we wouldn’t otherwise have known about.
I do sympathize, because I did spend hours the first day trying to watch dressage and was unsuccessful. Did all the downloads etc. But I also realize that is the price I paid for not hooking up my TV with a receiver and the right channel in advance. I felt darn lucky to be able to access Canada’s feeds, mostly without interruption, and pretty much live. And free.
Expat Shield is free…I’m sorry you’ve had a hard time. NBC sucks, frankly. Anyway–if you have a Mac, it is hard, but PC and expat were simple for me to get access…and I learned about it from Equibrit and her posts on that thread.
It is free.
The first two results in a simple google search on “ExPat Shield” will give you the website of the software itself (which has a download button on the first page) and also a link to CNET, where it can also be downloaded.
…and if you go to cnet.com and type in ‘expat shield’ in the really big search bar at the top, the download page is the very first result. And it is FREE.
I have been watching the BBC coverage with expat shield with no problems and it is 100% because of the GREAT information provided by helpful COTHers.
The only problem I have been having is that I keep forgetting to turn expat shield off when I leave the BBC sit and I keep getting sent to google.co.uk instead of google.com. :lol:
Why, because YOU can’t figure it out, should other people be denied the solution to their frustrations. I have been watching the bbc coverage through expat without a hitch. Everything IS free.
The only problem you will encounter is with a mac. So, don’t blame us… I got all the information I needed thanks to Equibrit!!
and yes, you have to remember to disconnect expat after watching the bbc, because the Canadian sites may deny you access due to a British IP or Youtube will give you the British selections… lol
Wellspot, I am very sorry for your trouble. I, too, would be extremely frustrated, disgusted and angry if I could not see any more of the Equestrian Olympics than NBC has shown in prime time (which is to say, about 30 seconds). The only thing I haven’t been able to access online was a Canadian TV “Thrills and Spills on XC” video that someone linked to; despite downloading a free piece of software the computer said I needed (Silverlight), it never would go. That was a minor annoyance, but if you haven’t been able to get ANY look at the Games that truly stinks. I’ve spent many hours of my life trying to figure out one computer mess or another so I really do sympathize. It would have been nice if there had been some kind of “heads-up” ahead of time from NBC telling everyone that hey, if you’re not a customer of one of our partner providers you’re sh*t outta luck.
I guess you do not have any kind of TV setup that receives the NBC Sports channel, either, because I gather they have shown a great deal of coverage there. I’ve been asleep or at work when that was on so I can’t say for sure.
Many have been helped by the other threads so I don’t think the Mods are going to shut them down, but I just wanted to say I feel your pain and I’m sorry.
Wellspot, you and I may be the last people on earth who don’t have cable TV! I’m also a bit frustrated and have developed a hatred for NBC :mad:
You know, I have no love lost for NBC. I hate them frankly.
But this attitude of well, I don’t pay for television but I should be able to watch anything I want for free is rather irritating.
NBC paid some serious cash to have the Olympics feed.
I also don’t have cable and am extremely frustrated about the coverage. I have not seen one second.
Is there a way to pay to watch it on the live stream without having cable? I don’t mind paying for the coverage but I just don’t have a cable subscription. I also don’t have an iphone so can’t go that route. It’s just frustrating that the only options are cable or iphone - there should be another way to stream it (with or without a fee) for those who may have satellite or something else instead of cable.
No kidding! We pay for satellite TV and being able to sign on with my subscription and watch the NBC streaming for no additional cost is wonderful! But if I didn’t already pay to get MSNBC/CNBC (required to livestream via NBC), I’d be happy to pony up a little cash to watch the livestreaming. As long as there is a guarantee that it would work – since the iPad app has been so disappointingly bad, I’ve been watching on my PC, but I’d be a little reluctant to pay $$ unless I knew for sure the streaming was going to work. I am absolutely THRILLED that NBC has made it possible to watch so much (now that I got it working on my PC!), and really don’t like this “ought to be free” attitude.
I am able to access the NBC livestreaming using my login for my satellite (not cable) tv subscription. But how I understand it, you have to subscribe to a package that includes MSNBC or CNBC in order to do that. I have seen in some other threads that people have added those for the month or whatever in order to access the feed, then it will cancel after that month. That would probably depend on the policy of your particular sat provider.
I got on the NBC live feed without much trouble, and thought the coverage of x-country was great. Does anyone know who the commentator was? (Male, British)
I was curious about this as well – he was very good, and I really enjoyed listening to him. Even though he did announce Boyd Martin coming through the finish as riding for Australia!:lol:
I could be remembering wrong, but didn’t they do something like that for Beijing? I remember downloading some viewer and having complete access to the live feeds very easily in '08, I think I paid for it but it was reasonable and the whole layout was much more user-friendly than what they’re offering now…
[QUOTE=chancellor2;6471452]
You know, I have no love lost for NBC. I hate them frankly.
But this attitude of well, I don’t pay for television but I should be able to watch anything I want for free is rather irritating.
NBC paid some serious cash to have the Olympics feed.[/QUOTE]
Do you understand how TV broadcasters make money? It isn’t through the fee you pay for cable, that is how the CABLE companies make money. NBC makes money through advertisements - the MORE people who watch their stations (aka their ads), the more they make. They pay for rights to the Olympics because the advertisers then pay more for ad spots, and NBC makes money.
On network TV (free TV), they seem to feel the viewing public wants to see beach volleyball - aka women not wearing much. And synchronized diving - again, women not wearing much.
I live in a rural area - satellite is not great, and cable is not available. It would be nice to have an option to see some of the events - and I’d be happy to pay for it - but that isn’t an option - did I mention cable isn’t available?
Well I do pay for cable, and I have seen the same as you, a few seconds of Zara. And while I usually can access live streaming here at the office for other events (WEG, Rolex KY, Indoors), I can’t get the OG. 
I have no idea why the live streaming isn’t working at home and I’m not knowledgeable enough to figure out all the directions everyone has so generously given out, so I’m equally frustrated. At least I got to read everyone’s posts live as the x-country was going on, which was surprisingly good.
Uh, so you think that the broadcasters provide all those channels to cable/satellite providers for free? I don’t think so! I pay my satellite provider for a group of channels, and I’m sure that, say, MSNBC isn’t just coming over to DISH for free. That’s why the NBC online streaming is requiring that you have a sat/cable package that includes the “premium” or whatever they call it channels of MSNBC or CNBC, as you do have to pay a bit more to get those as part of a subscription (compared to just a basic plan). NBC is making a bit off that subscription. And I don’t think it is unreasonable.
[QUOTE=MysticOakRanch;6471755]
Do you understand how TV broadcasters make money? It isn’t through the fee you pay for cable, that is how the CABLE companies make money. NBC makes money through advertisements - the MORE people who watch their stations (aka their ads), the more they make. They pay for rights to the Olympics because the advertisers then pay more for ad spots, and NBC makes money.
On network TV (free TV), they seem to feel the viewing public wants to see beach volleyball - aka women not wearing much. And synchronized diving - again, women not wearing much.
I live in a rural area - satellite is not great, and cable is not available. It would be nice to have an option to see some of the events - and I’d be happy to pay for it - but that isn’t an option - did I mention cable isn’t available?[/QUOTE]
Guess what? Cable isn’t available where I live either. I pay for Satellite.
And yes, I am fully familiar with how the networks make money.
I am thrilled that NBC made this available to me for free instead of on a PPV basis.
[QUOTE=Wellspotted;6470709]
Dear Mods,
I wish you would just shut that thread down. People keep posting on it that we can go to this web site or that web site and download all sorts of things that will let us watch the NBC or BBC live streams of various equestrian events.
Most of those links they post are dead-ends. It’s like a maze. If you get to the site, the application someone has told you to download isn’t even there, or, if it is there, it isn’t free.
No one has bothered to include that little bit of info.
Somebody did post about something called the Ex-Pat Shield, but they did not bother to post a link to it, and when I finally found it, it wasn’t free.
The bottom line is, if someone has cable or satellite that they are paying for, they can watch the live streams. If you’re not already paying for cable or satellite, you can’t watch the live streams unless you pay for the application that will let you hack through the blocks.
I have just spent 3 incredibly frustrating days trying everything suggested in the “Live Stream Links” thread so that I too could watch the equestrian events I should have been able to watch on TV. I have followed the links COTHers posted. I have done my own searches.
Now the 3-day is over and I have seen about 10 seconds of Zara and her horse jumping about 5 cross country fences, because NBC just flashed a clip up on the TV screen.
I just think it is wrong, and not very kind, to start some thread that purports to let us watch this stuff and then to let other non-Mod people post crap. I think it would have been better not to dangle the carrot in the first place.
Very frustrating and disheartening experience. :([/QUOTE]
The only reason a person could not watch a live stream for free is;
1.) They are a computer underachiever.
2.) They have a problem with their computer (ie software out of date or missing)
3.) Thay cannot read or follow instructions.
