NBCUniversal lays out vision for 7000 hours of Tokyo Olympics programming

NBCUniversal will present an unprecedented 7,000 hours of coverage of the Tokyo Olympics this summer by utilizing two broadcast networks, six cable networks, and multiple digital platforms, serving both English- and Spanish-language viewers, making it the biggest media event ever. The Games of the XXXII Olympiad will take place July 23-August 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.

In what will be the first major global gathering since the pandemic began, NBCUniversal will deliver the Games’ biggest events, most captivating stories and unforgettable moments to the American viewing audience on an array of platforms that will make the Olympics more accessible than ever before.

“After a devastating year, the world comes together again, finally, in Tokyo this summer,” says Molly Solomon, executive producer and president, NBC Olympics Production. “We are going to deliver the most comprehensive — and accessible — coverage for any sports event in history.  The depth and breadth of our broadcasts will be unprecedented, showcasing once-in-a-generation athletes and storylines that will capture the incredible uniqueness of these Games and our times.”

Following are highlights of NBCU’s Tokyo Olympics coverage

-The NBC broadcast network will once again be the backbone of NBCUniversal’s coverage, providing 17 consecutive nights of primetime coverage and 250 hours of the biggest stories of the Games. Similar to the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang in 2018, NBC will broadcast its primetime show live across all time zones with continuing coverage on Prime Plus (formerly the late-night show) following late local news. Prime West will also return for viewers in the Pacific time zone.

-As previously announced, NBC Olympics will provide unprecedented coverage of the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 23, creating a full day of Olympic programming on NBC that culminates with the primetime presentation of the ceremony. The day will begin with the network’s first-ever live morning broadcast of an Opening Ceremony, followed by a special edition of TODAY and then NBC’s first-ever Olympic Daytime show on the opening Friday of the Games.

-Five English-language NBCUniversal cable networks – USA Network, CNBC, NBCSN, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, and GOLF Channel – will present 1,300+ hours of Tokyo Olympics coverage this summer.

-In addition to the studio programming Peacock already announced, more information about its Tokyo Olympics offering will be announced soon.

-NBC Sports Digital will stream more than 5,500 hours of the Tokyo Olympics on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app, via authentication, including all 41 sports and 339 medal events on the Tokyo program, plus the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, medal ceremonies, and more.

-Telemundo Deportes, the exclusive Spanish-language home of the Olympic Games in the U.S., will present the most extensive Olympic coverage ever in Spanish-language media focusing on those stories and disciplines that are relevant to the U.S. Hispanic audience, with over 300 hours of programming across Telemundo and Universo.

-NBCU will introduce the exciting new sports and events that are debuting in Tokyo: skateboarding, 3×3 basketball, BMX freestyle, surfing, sport climbing, and karate, as well as the return of softball and baseball.

-USA Network’s coverage kicks off with a blockbuster women’s soccer matchup at 4 a.m. ET on Wednesday, July 21 — two days before the Opening Ceremony — as Team USA takes on Sweden. The U.S. are the defending World Cup champions and ranked #1 in the world, but Sweden, currently ranked #5, eliminated the U.S. in the quarterfinal round at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

-NBC News will have a strong presence at the Tokyo Olympics. Both the TODAY show and NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt will be on site with live coverage from Tokyo. Each morning, TODAY will bring viewers live interviews with Olympians and share the latest news from the Games. Each night, Nightly will profile a member of Team USA, from the most popular stars to lesser known athletes who overcame incredible circumstances on their Olympics journey, as well as report on all the news surrounding the Games. Sports Video