"The Directive requires EU countries to coordinate national legislation with each other so that […] major events – like the Olympics or football World Cup – are available to a broad audience, not just on pay-TV channels"
That's right. There's no reason to give a shit about the Olympics these days. And if the IOC wants to make it hard for fans to watch, why should we make any effort to support their celebration of ... what does it stand for now ... obese cable subscribers watching fit people wreck their bodies?
It's obviously not a fundamental human right to have access to Olympic programming. However the way in which they delay programming and restrict access seems manipulative which I file under unethical.
Who says it's coming at a cost? There is a very real chance the BBC have fixed sized pipes already paid for, that are not even close to being fully utilized.
Like movies in theaters I just ignore the hype and wait six months for either redbox or netflix to get it.