After the 2020 Olympics were delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only to maintain a strict, no-spectator rule that dulled the standard electricity the Olympics provide , fans are itching to show their support for athletes competing in Paris . For those unable to attend in person however, there are a number of ways to enjoy the games from the comfort of your own home. NBCUniversal is pulling out all the stops for this year’s broadcast, airing games across its slate of channels on NBC , Telemundo, USA Network, Golf Channel, CNBC, and E!, as well as streaming them on Peacock , NBC and NBC Olympics apps, NBCOlympics.
com, and NBC.com. The Opening Ceremony kicks off on Friday, July 26 at 7:30pm Paris time, which is 1:30pm ET/10:30am PT, but NBC will have a pre-show beginning at noon ET/9am PT.
Mike Tirico, NBC’s play-by-play announcer for “Sunday Night Football,” will host the opening ceremonies alongside NFL Hall-of-Famer Peyton Manning and Grammy-winning singer and TV personality Kelly Clarkson. Hosts of NBC’s “Today,” Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb will also be lending their talents by providing aerial coverage, with NBC Sports commentator Maria Taylor assisting as well. For the closing ceremony, Tirico will be joined by Jimmy Fallon, plus the team behind NBC’s figure skating coverage, Terry Gannon, Tara Lipinksi and Johnny Weir.
For those of you who can’t wait for the Opening Ceremony, USA Network has already begun airing coverage of sports including rugby, handball, and soccer, all of which can be streamed on Peacock as well. Others who will provide coverage throughout the games include Snoop Dogg, Leslie Jones, Willie Geist, Steve Kornacki, Dwayne Wade, Michael Phelps, and Mary Carillo. Kenan Thompson and Kevin Hart will also be offering their comedic commentary via a highlights show streaming on Peacock.
In addition to starring in commercials for the upcoming games, Steven Spielberg will also narrate a four-minute short preceding the opening ceremony in Paris entitled “Land of Stories.” The film was shot on a Universal Sound Stage in California in November 2023, but sees Spielberg transported to the City of Light by way of Industrial Light & Magic. In a statement, president and executive producer at NBC Olympics Production, Molly Solomon said, “Steven Spielberg is one of the world’s greatest storytellers.
For decades we have been moved to experience the full range of human emotions through his fully immersive storytelling style. It was a thrill to see Steven so excited to speak about the magic of the Olympics — from the moments we all remember to the potential of the current athletes.” This is a special moment for France as well, as it is celebrating 100 years since Paris last hosted the games.
To honor this centennial, the city is welcoming the athletes by sailing them down the Seine in boats reflecting their country of origin. This is the first time an opening ceremony will take place outside the confines of a stadium and each boat will be equipped with cameras to capture every aspect of the experience..
