I disagree. ABC had national favoritism as well, it's a bit different when the sport is being shown live vs. tape delay, when the choice of what is shown can be more selective. Live events must show what's actually occuring... except for the commercial breaks.
Yes, NBC is airing a lot of footage LIVE, however they are bouncing back and forth between venues, and they are limited in prime-time coverage to cram in as much coverage as they can and still pay for it with commercials. That means making sure that the home country gets to see their athletes participate, whenever possible- and it can look like a whole lot of selective coverage, yes indeedy.
Before you make your final judgement, I'd suggest watching some of the streaming coverage of the various sports online, and see if you feel that the coverage is only featuring the American team. What's the difference? Streaming coverage of a specific event would ideally show each and every competitor, because the venue is being covered completely for coverage to insert the "highlights" into primetime coverage, that is, when time allows.
I know I sound like I am defending NBC- and I'm not. I do see moments of natural favoritism, too- and places where I'd rather see coverage of the Italian team, or the Swedes, or whatever... but I realize that I'm not in control of what I see. Programming choices are being made for the greatest number of viewers. Twas always thus- and always will be....
As American television goes digital and current broadcast television transforms into an internet-driven medium with multiple levels of interactivity, I forsee a day when technology brings us multiple cameras at every venue, and unlimited bandwith when every sport can be viewed online-just as good or better- than being there.
Rather than pointing towards the programming choices, I'd be much more ready to ask if the on-air talent (venue color commentators, and Bob Costas) are remaining impartial and attempting to also feature non-American athletes- and I honestly would say that I feel that they are- again, if you take the other choices being made into account.
I'd be much more ready to throw stones if we were limited to only 4 hours of prime-time programming per day, and we have a great deal of choice across multiple networks, as well as internet coverage. I'd say that NBC has thrown an immense effort towards their technology and their improvements.
But I would like to hear from more non-Americans on this issue.