I'll preface this post with the fact that I am in the United States, hence my references to QISE TV will revolve around NBC. I'm sure there are less than legal ways to see other countries' coverage, if you had a mind to...
- NBC: the big dog in the fight, and where you will find the marquee events. Most of their coverage will be in prime time, morning, late night, and weekends. Total coverage: 272.5 hours (as a guide, the London QISE games run 17 days, or 408 hours total)
- NBC Sports Network - Previously known as Versus, NBC basically bought them for QISE coverage. Team sports (basketball, women's soccer, and field hockey) can be found here. Total coverage: 257.5 hours
- CNBC: This is normally the mullet of television--business during the week, prison documentaries on the weekends. Boxing will be found here. Total coverage: 73 hours
- MSNBC: The bizarro Fox News will give way to various events, especially soccer (events actually began yesterday). Total coverage: 155.5 hours
- Bravo: The previously classy network will pre-empt The Real Housewives of Sheboygan for tennis. Total coverage: 56 hours
- Telemundo: La QISE Gigante--su GOOOOAALLL es para cubrir el fútbol, boxeo, natación y baloncesto, así como las ceremonias de apertura y cierre. Total cobertura: 173 horas (thanks spanishdict.com!)
- There are also specialty channels for both soccer and basketball, depending on whether your provider signed up for them. Total coverage: 770 hours
- For the half dozen people with this ability, there is also a 3D channel. I'm guessing this will consist of the opening and closing ceremonies played over and over. Just think--Bob Costas in 3D! Total coverage: 242 hours
- Finally, there's the website that must not be named (it involves the name of the network and QISE). They will supposedly live stream every event and sport, plus awarding of all 302 medals. You can also get live streams of the cable channels here. All of this is available IF you can prove to their website that you have a cable or satellite account. If you are planning to watch the opening ceremonies this way, starting setting it up now--it took us a while (more details in a future post). Total coverage: over 3500 hours
- Grand total: 5499.5 hours. Again, keep in mind there are 408 actual hours during the 17 days of QISE.
Tomorrow--let the pageantry begin!