Olympics broadcasters in the United States
In the United States, the Olympics is broadcasted by NBC Universal, along with TV cable partner MTV Networks. It was previously aired on ABC, CBS, TBS and TNT.
Airings on NBC
NBC Sports' coverage of the Olympic Games consists of broadcasts on the various networks of NBC Universal in the United States, including the NBC broadcast network, Spanish language network Telemundo, and many of the company's cable networks.
The telecast runs for 17 days primarily in the evening and weekend afternoons on NBC, with varying times on the other networks (after the close of the stock market day on CNBC for instance, the early mornings on MSNBC, and overnights on the USA Network). The Winter Olympic Games are normally televised in February in non-leap, even years, next in 2014. The Summer Olympic Games are normally televised in August in leap years, next in 2012.
The on-air title of the telecasts, as typically announced at the start of each broadcast and during sponsor billboards, is always the official name of the games in question, e.g. The Games of the XXIX Olympiad for the 2008 summer games. However, promotional logos may reflect the more common location-and-year name format, e.g. "Beijing 2008".
The cable coverage was also supplemented by MTV Networks channels (all, except Epix).
The telecast runs for 17 days primarily in the evening and weekend afternoons on NBC, with varying times on the other networks (after the close of the stock market day on CNBC for instance, the early mornings on MSNBC, and overnights on the USA Network). The Winter Olympic Games are normally televised in February in non-leap, even years, next in 2014. The Summer Olympic Games are normally televised in August in leap years, next in 2012.
The on-air title of the telecasts, as typically announced at the start of each broadcast and during sponsor billboards, is always the official name of the games in question, e.g. The Games of the XXIX Olympiad for the 2008 summer games. However, promotional logos may reflect the more common location-and-year name format, e.g. "Beijing 2008".
The cable coverage was also supplemented by MTV Networks channels (all, except Epix).
Previous broadcasters
The following is the previous broadcasters of the Olympics:
CBS
The Olympics on CBS was a sports telecast that aired on CBS Sports. The last airing of the telecast was for the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano.
ABC
The Olympics on ABC was the branding for Olympic Games coverage which aired in the United States on the broadcast network ABC. ABC first televised the Winter Olympic Games in 1964. ABC first televised the Summer Olympic Games in 1968. ABC last televised the Summer Olympics in 1984 and Winter Olympics in 1988.
TBS and TNT
The Olympics on TNT was the branding for Winter Olympic Games coverage produced by CBS for their cable partner, Turner Network Television. The last airing of the telecast was for the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano. Cable coverage was also carried by Superstation TBS, CNN, and any other channels owned by Turner Broadcasting System.
History
Here is the history of broadcast of the Olympics:
The beginning
The first telecast of the Olympics on American TV was from the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California. It was shown on CBS, which paid just $50,000 for the privilege.
Walter Cronkite was host, anchoring on-site from Squaw Valley. With Squaw Valley connected to the network lines, some events were broadcast live while the remainder of the network's coverage was of events shown on the same day they took place.
During the games, officials asked Tony Verna, one of the members of the production staff, if it could use its videotape equipment to determine whether or not a slalom skier missed a gate. Verna then returned to CBS headquarters in New York City and developed the first instant replay system, which debuted at the Army–Navy football game in 1963.
Squaw Valley was the last time CBS would carry a Winter Olympics until 1992.
Later that year, CBS showed the 1960 Summer Olympics from Rome. The network showed about 20 hours of coverage of track and field, swimming, and other sports. Because communications satellites, which would have provided direct transmissions between the United States and Italy, were not yet available, production staff members flew footage from Rome to CBS headquarters in New York (or a mobile unit parked at Idelwild Airport in New York, to save time that transporting videotapes into the city would take) for later telecast. Despite this, at least some of the events, especially those held in the morning and early-afternoon (local time in Rome), actually aired in the United States the same day they took place. Jim McKay, then a relatively-unknown radio and TV personality, was the host, anchoring not from Rome, but from the CBS studios in New York City.
The 1960 Rome Games would remain the only time CBS television has ever broadcast the Summer Games.
Walter Cronkite was host, anchoring on-site from Squaw Valley. With Squaw Valley connected to the network lines, some events were broadcast live while the remainder of the network's coverage was of events shown on the same day they took place.
During the games, officials asked Tony Verna, one of the members of the production staff, if it could use its videotape equipment to determine whether or not a slalom skier missed a gate. Verna then returned to CBS headquarters in New York City and developed the first instant replay system, which debuted at the Army–Navy football game in 1963.
Squaw Valley was the last time CBS would carry a Winter Olympics until 1992.
Later that year, CBS showed the 1960 Summer Olympics from Rome. The network showed about 20 hours of coverage of track and field, swimming, and other sports. Because communications satellites, which would have provided direct transmissions between the United States and Italy, were not yet available, production staff members flew footage from Rome to CBS headquarters in New York (or a mobile unit parked at Idelwild Airport in New York, to save time that transporting videotapes into the city would take) for later telecast. Despite this, at least some of the events, especially those held in the morning and early-afternoon (local time in Rome), actually aired in the United States the same day they took place. Jim McKay, then a relatively-unknown radio and TV personality, was the host, anchoring not from Rome, but from the CBS studios in New York City.
The 1960 Rome Games would remain the only time CBS television has ever broadcast the Summer Games.
Switch from CBS to ABC
While CBS aired both the 1960 Winter and Summer Games (marking the first time that the Olympics were broadcast on American television), by 1964, a different network showed the Winter Games: ABC. Roone Arledge won broadcast rights for his network and began a relationship with the "five rings" that would last over two decades. The program used many of the same production staff from ABC's Wide World of Sports, as well as the same host, Jim McKay, who moved to ABC from CBS in 1961. In 1968, ABC showed both the Winter Games and the Summer Games.
The 1964 Winter Games were in Innsbruck, Austria, and coverage was taped and flown by plane back to the United States. All of it was in black-and-white, but with most Winter Olympic events in the morning (local time), most TV coverage aired the day the events were held.
The 1964 Winter Games were in Innsbruck, Austria, and coverage was taped and flown by plane back to the United States. All of it was in black-and-white, but with most Winter Olympic events in the morning (local time), most TV coverage aired the day the events were held.
NBC steps in
NBC made their Olympic television debut when they showed the 1964 Summer Olympics from Tokyo. They did this with the aid of the Syncom 3 satellite for direct broadcasts. When NBC televised the opening ceremonies of the 1964 Summer Olympics, it was the first color broadcast televised live via satellite.
The Olympic competition itself was broadcast in black-and-white. Thanks to the Syncom 3 satellite, a daily highlights package could be seen a few hours after the events took place; otherwise, film canisters were flown across the Pacific Ocean and were broadcast to American viewers the following day.
Serving as anchor was Bill Henry, then NBC News Tokyo bureau chief, who had extensive experience in both print and broadcast news. Play-by-play commentators included Bud Palmer and Jim Simpson.
The Olympic competition itself was broadcast in black-and-white. Thanks to the Syncom 3 satellite, a daily highlights package could be seen a few hours after the events took place; otherwise, film canisters were flown across the Pacific Ocean and were broadcast to American viewers the following day.
Serving as anchor was Bill Henry, then NBC News Tokyo bureau chief, who had extensive experience in both print and broadcast news. Play-by-play commentators included Bud Palmer and Jim Simpson.
Full color broadcast
By 1968, ABC was broadcasting the Olympics in full color, and satellites made possible live coverage of several events at the Winter Games in Grenoble, France and of nearly all of the network's coverage of the Summer Ganmes in Mexico City.
Highlighting the 1968 Winter Games was a dramatic sweep in men's alpine skiing by Frenchman Jean-Claude Killy, while the major highlight of the Summer Games was a world-record long jump by Bob Beamon of the United States, which happened to air live in the U.S.
Highlighting the 1968 Winter Games was a dramatic sweep in men's alpine skiing by Frenchman Jean-Claude Killy, while the major highlight of the Summer Games was a world-record long jump by Bob Beamon of the United States, which happened to air live in the U.S.
The 1970s
Meanwhile, NBC first televised the Winter Olympic Games in 1972. Anchored by Curt Gowdy, much of the coverage actually was broadcast live since alpine skiing and long track speed skating were held in the morning, which translated to prime-time on the U.S. East Coast. A young sportscaster making his network television debut at Sapporo was a 26-year-old Al Michaels, who did play-by-play of hockey. Eight years later, he would call the famous 1980 "Miracle On Ice" at that year's Winter Games in Lake Placid for ABC Sports.
ABC was then returned to carry the Summer Games in Munich, Germany. It was during the Summer Games that Palestinian terrorists attacked the Olympic Village and killed 11 Israeli athletes. Although Chris Schenkel was the actual host of the Games that year, Arledge assigned the story to McKay largely because he was a local news anchor in Baltimore, Maryland prior to joining CBS (and later ABC). McKay was joined on set by ABC news correspondent (and former and future evening news anchor) Peter Jennings, and coverage continued for many hours until the outcome was known. McKay later won an Emmy Award for his coverage.
ABC was then returned to carry the Summer Games in Munich, Germany. It was during the Summer Games that Palestinian terrorists attacked the Olympic Village and killed 11 Israeli athletes. Although Chris Schenkel was the actual host of the Games that year, Arledge assigned the story to McKay largely because he was a local news anchor in Baltimore, Maryland prior to joining CBS (and later ABC). McKay was joined on set by ABC news correspondent (and former and future evening news anchor) Peter Jennings, and coverage continued for many hours until the outcome was known. McKay later won an Emmy Award for his coverage.
McKay enters in
By the time the 1976 edition came around, McKay was now installed at the host, a role he would play throughout the 1970s and '80s. ABC aired the 1980 Winter Olympics, both the 1984 Winter and Summer Games, and the 1988 Winter Olympics.
The 1976 Winter Olympics were a little odd, because they originally were to be hosted by Denver, which was awarded the Olympics in 1970. However, in 1972, voters in Colorado voted against funding the Games due to rising costs and environmental impact.
With this series of events, the IOC had to scramble to find another host city, initially offering the Games to Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, but declined (however, they made up for it by being part of the 2010 Winter Games with Vancouver). Salt Lake City offered to host, but the IOC shunned the U.S. entirely -- probably due to the Denver situation -- and awarded the Games to Innsbruck, Austria, in 1973, just 3 years before the event was supposed to take place.
Later that year, ABC televised the Summer Olympics from Montreal, Canada. It cost them $25,000,000 to do so, allowing them to producing 76.5 hours of coverage. Olympic historians will often note that the Montreal Games were the ones that almost killed the Olympic movement due to their cost and resulting debt (the Olympic Stadium was finally paid off some 30 years later in 2006). After 1976, cities thought twice about bidding for the Games.
The 1976 Winter Olympics were a little odd, because they originally were to be hosted by Denver, which was awarded the Olympics in 1970. However, in 1972, voters in Colorado voted against funding the Games due to rising costs and environmental impact.
With this series of events, the IOC had to scramble to find another host city, initially offering the Games to Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, but declined (however, they made up for it by being part of the 2010 Winter Games with Vancouver). Salt Lake City offered to host, but the IOC shunned the U.S. entirely -- probably due to the Denver situation -- and awarded the Games to Innsbruck, Austria, in 1973, just 3 years before the event was supposed to take place.
Later that year, ABC televised the Summer Olympics from Montreal, Canada. It cost them $25,000,000 to do so, allowing them to producing 76.5 hours of coverage. Olympic historians will often note that the Montreal Games were the ones that almost killed the Olympic movement due to their cost and resulting debt (the Olympic Stadium was finally paid off some 30 years later in 2006). After 1976, cities thought twice about bidding for the Games.
Enter the 1980s
ABC landing the rights to the 1980 Winter Olympics held on American soil. They paid $15,500,000 to broadcast 53.25 hours of programming.
Chuck Mangione's instrumental song "Give It All You Got" was originally featured as the official theme of the 1980 Winter Olympics, held in Lake Placid, New York. ABC had used Mangione's recordings four years earlier during their coverage of the 1976 Summer Olympics, and then-ABC Sports president Roone Arledge asked the musician to create the theme song for the Winter games. Mangione also performed the song live at the Closing Ceremonies on February 24.
The 1980 Winter Olympics was perhaps most notable for the "Miracle on Ice". The "Miracle on Ice" was a medal-round men's ice hockey game Lake Placid, New York, on February 22. The United States team, made up of amateur and collegiate players and led by coach Herb Brooks, defeated the Soviet team, which was considered the best hockey team in the world. The rest of the United States (except those who watched the game live on Canadian television) had to wait to see the game, as ABC decided to broadcast the late-afternoon game on tape delay in prime time. Sportscaster Al Michaels, who was calling the game on ABC along with former Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden, picked up on the countdown in his broadcast, and delivered his famous call:
Chuck Mangione's instrumental song "Give It All You Got" was originally featured as the official theme of the 1980 Winter Olympics, held in Lake Placid, New York. ABC had used Mangione's recordings four years earlier during their coverage of the 1976 Summer Olympics, and then-ABC Sports president Roone Arledge asked the musician to create the theme song for the Winter games. Mangione also performed the song live at the Closing Ceremonies on February 24.
The 1980 Winter Olympics was perhaps most notable for the "Miracle on Ice". The "Miracle on Ice" was a medal-round men's ice hockey game Lake Placid, New York, on February 22. The United States team, made up of amateur and collegiate players and led by coach Herb Brooks, defeated the Soviet team, which was considered the best hockey team in the world. The rest of the United States (except those who watched the game live on Canadian television) had to wait to see the game, as ABC decided to broadcast the late-afternoon game on tape delay in prime time. Sportscaster Al Michaels, who was calling the game on ABC along with former Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden, picked up on the countdown in his broadcast, and delivered his famous call:
"Eleven seconds, you've got ten seconds, the countdown going on right now! Morrow, up to Silk. Five seconds left in the game. Do you believe in miracles? YES!"
Failure of broadcast the 1980 Summer Olympics
NBC had won the U.S. broadcast rights for the 1980 Summer Olympics, but when the United States Olympic Committee kept U.S. athletes home to honor the boycott announced by President Jimmy Carter, the telecasts were greatly scaled back. In the end, what had been 150 hours of scheduled coverage, shrunk to just a few hours. Highlights were fed to local NBC stations for use on local newscasts. Many affiliates however, refused to show the Olympic highlights on their local news. They also refused to clear airtime for the few hours of coverage NBC did present.
NBC's extensive coverage was canceled before a prime time anchor had been named; it was said that Nightly News anchorman John Chancellor (a former NBC Moscow bueau chief) along with sportscasters Bryant Gumbel and Dick Enberg were reportedly being considered for the prime time studio host role.
NBC's extensive coverage was canceled before a prime time anchor had been named; it was said that Nightly News anchorman John Chancellor (a former NBC Moscow bueau chief) along with sportscasters Bryant Gumbel and Dick Enberg were reportedly being considered for the prime time studio host role.
ABC resumes the broadcast in 1980s
ABC returned 4 years later with the rights for the 1984 Winter Games, for which they paid $91,500,000 to broadcast 63 hours of programming. The network then aired the Summer Olympic games later the same year.
The 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles are often considered the Games that "saved" the Olympic movement. A couple of elements came into play to make LA a success. The first was the heavy use of existing infrastructure, thus saving money on construction (in contrast to the heavy building shown by Montreal in 1976). A big push towards corporate sponsorships also began with the '84 Games -- setting a standard that the IOC continues to use today. The Soviets boycotted the 1984 Summer Olympics along with 13 other countries, mainly in retaliation for the 1980 Moscow boycott. This led to anticipated U.S. dominance and interest in the LA Olympics, also helping the bottom line.
A year later, ABC was purchased by Capital Cities Communications, and company management wasn't in favor of bidding on future Games. (Incidentally, Disney now owns ESPN and ABC, and had expressed interest in bidding for the 2014 Winter (Sochi, Russia) and 2016 Summer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) Games). This, however, doesn't mean the end of ABC dominance of broadcast, they would continue to broadcast the Olympics for the last time in 1988.
The Winter Olympics in Calgary would be ABC's swan song, as it's the last Olympics they have broadcast, ending their years of dominance in the 70s and 80s. For their final run, ABC paid $309,000,000 for the broadcast rights and producing 94.5 hours of coverage.
The 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles are often considered the Games that "saved" the Olympic movement. A couple of elements came into play to make LA a success. The first was the heavy use of existing infrastructure, thus saving money on construction (in contrast to the heavy building shown by Montreal in 1976). A big push towards corporate sponsorships also began with the '84 Games -- setting a standard that the IOC continues to use today. The Soviets boycotted the 1984 Summer Olympics along with 13 other countries, mainly in retaliation for the 1980 Moscow boycott. This led to anticipated U.S. dominance and interest in the LA Olympics, also helping the bottom line.
A year later, ABC was purchased by Capital Cities Communications, and company management wasn't in favor of bidding on future Games. (Incidentally, Disney now owns ESPN and ABC, and had expressed interest in bidding for the 2014 Winter (Sochi, Russia) and 2016 Summer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) Games). This, however, doesn't mean the end of ABC dominance of broadcast, they would continue to broadcast the Olympics for the last time in 1988.
The Winter Olympics in Calgary would be ABC's swan song, as it's the last Olympics they have broadcast, ending their years of dominance in the 70s and 80s. For their final run, ABC paid $309,000,000 for the broadcast rights and producing 94.5 hours of coverage.
ABC stops airing, NBC continues
After that, ABC, at the insistence of new owner Capital Cities Communications (much to the chagrin of Roone Arledge's successor at ABC Sports, Dennis Swanson), opted not to bid for the rights to show any future Games. Subsequently, The Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities-ABC in 1995 and began the process of putting more effort into the branding of ABC's sports channel ESPN than of ABC Sports itself.
NBC then bid for, and won, the rights to show the 1988 Summer Olympics. Network officials convinced the organizers in Seoul to stage most of its gold-medal finals in the afternoon, which is prime time of the previous night in the U.S. The Today Show's Bryant Gumbel was the prime time host that year; Bob Costas hosted the late-night show while Jane Pauley was one of the hosts of early-morning coverage.
Also, the same year, NBC began to share cable coverage to MTV Networks, the owner of Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1 and The Movie Channel (TMC). About the MTV Networks, it was operated in 1984, after Warner Communications and American Express decided to divest the basic cable assets of Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment. Viacom acquired 66% of the company in 1985, and then acquired the remaining interest in 1986. It was then folded into Viacom International Inc., a subsidiary of Viacom Inc., and is no longer a distinct legal entity. MTV Networks began to air the Olympics in 1988, beginning with the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Gumbel and Dick Enberg were co-hosts for the opening and closing ceremonies.
A curious result was that, since in the United States the 1988 NFL season had just started, NBC would plug the holes (primarily play-by-play broadcasters) with well-known older broadcasters such as Curt Gowdy, Ray Scott and Merle Harmon, among others.
With the 1980s coming to a close, the 6 Olympic Games featured have passed the U.S. broadcasting torch from ABC to NBC. However, CBS gets into the fray as well.
NBC then bid for, and won, the rights to show the 1988 Summer Olympics. Network officials convinced the organizers in Seoul to stage most of its gold-medal finals in the afternoon, which is prime time of the previous night in the U.S. The Today Show's Bryant Gumbel was the prime time host that year; Bob Costas hosted the late-night show while Jane Pauley was one of the hosts of early-morning coverage.
Also, the same year, NBC began to share cable coverage to MTV Networks, the owner of Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1 and The Movie Channel (TMC). About the MTV Networks, it was operated in 1984, after Warner Communications and American Express decided to divest the basic cable assets of Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment. Viacom acquired 66% of the company in 1985, and then acquired the remaining interest in 1986. It was then folded into Viacom International Inc., a subsidiary of Viacom Inc., and is no longer a distinct legal entity. MTV Networks began to air the Olympics in 1988, beginning with the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Gumbel and Dick Enberg were co-hosts for the opening and closing ceremonies.
A curious result was that, since in the United States the 1988 NFL season had just started, NBC would plug the holes (primarily play-by-play broadcasters) with well-known older broadcasters such as Curt Gowdy, Ray Scott and Merle Harmon, among others.
With the 1980s coming to a close, the 6 Olympic Games featured have passed the U.S. broadcasting torch from ABC to NBC. However, CBS gets into the fray as well.
Broadcast rivalry between CBS, NBC, MTV and TBS.
When the 1990s rolled around, CBS won the rights to three consecutive Winter Games: (1992, 1994, and 1998). Also, while CBS was the American over-the-air television broadcaster for the 1992, 1994, and 1998 Winter Games, cable coverage was supplemented by TNT, and also by TBS, CNN, CNN Airport Network, and later Cartoon Network.
The 1992 Games in Albertville, France had some live coverage on weekend mornings and afternoons, but most of the CBS broadcast (and all of the prime time coverage) was on tape, owing to the time difference between the United States and Europe. A similar television format was used two years later in 1994 when the Winter Games adopted a new schedule, midway between the four-year Summer Games cycle, instead of in the same year as the Summer Olympics. The 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville gave TNT 50 hours of programming in exchange for $50 million towards rights fees. Some broadcasts also airs on channels owned by Turner.
Just as his mentor Roone Arledge had before over at ABC, Dick Ebersol, who took over NBC Sports in 1989, decided to make the Olympics a staple of his network's sports television schedule. NBC continued its Summer Games coverage into the decade, with both the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. And as with Arledge (who had to deal with the Munich massacre during the 1972 Summer Games), Ebersol had to deal with breaking news during the Games. During the Centennial Olympic Park bombing in 1996, NBC suspended its coverage of a volleyball game and broadcast the news for several hours commercial-free. Bob Costas made his debut as prime time host in 1992. Costas had previously, hosted the late night coverage in Seoul.
The 1992 Games in Albertville, France had some live coverage on weekend mornings and afternoons, but most of the CBS broadcast (and all of the prime time coverage) was on tape, owing to the time difference between the United States and Europe. A similar television format was used two years later in 1994 when the Winter Games adopted a new schedule, midway between the four-year Summer Games cycle, instead of in the same year as the Summer Olympics. The 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville gave TNT 50 hours of programming in exchange for $50 million towards rights fees. Some broadcasts also airs on channels owned by Turner.
Just as his mentor Roone Arledge had before over at ABC, Dick Ebersol, who took over NBC Sports in 1989, decided to make the Olympics a staple of his network's sports television schedule. NBC continued its Summer Games coverage into the decade, with both the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. And as with Arledge (who had to deal with the Munich massacre during the 1972 Summer Games), Ebersol had to deal with breaking news during the Games. During the Centennial Olympic Park bombing in 1996, NBC suspended its coverage of a volleyball game and broadcast the news for several hours commercial-free. Bob Costas made his debut as prime time host in 1992. Costas had previously, hosted the late night coverage in Seoul.
Cable coverage and partner for NBC
To help defray the increasing costs of broadcast rights, NBC turned to cable and satellite services for additional coverage. In 1992, NBC teamed up with Cablevision for the Triplecast, which provided three channels of pay-per-view telecasts that supplemented NBC's regular coverage. However, NBC lost over $100 million, the package was dropped, and there was no supplemental coverage from Atlanta. Luckily, NBC still had cable partnerships with MTV.
1994-1996
The 1994 Games in Lillehammer, Norway saw the nights with the highest ratings in the history of American Olympic telecasts, as a result of the scandal in which associates of Tonya Harding attacked Nancy Kerrigan and the media frenzy that followed. The short program in women's figure skating, which aired on February 23 is, as of 2008, the sixth-highest rated prime time TV program in American history. It had a rating of 48.5 and a share of 64 (meaning 48.5 percent of all television sets in the country and 64 percent of all television sets turned-on were tuned into CBS). The long program two days later had a rating of 44.1 and another 64 share; it ranks 32nd.[7] Both the short and long programs were shown on tape during prime time about six or so hours after the events had taken place.
Also contributing to the huge ratings in 1994 were a surprise gold medal by American skier Tommy Moe, as well as Dan Jansen's speed skating gold medal win, and, on the final morning (Eastern time) of the Games, a dramatic championship game in men's hockey between Sweden and Canada (the last such tournament in the "pre-dream-team" era for men's hockey), won by Sweden in a shootout. It should also be noted when the construction of the Lysgårdsbakken jumping hills started in 1992, the hills had to be moved some meters north so CBS could get the best pictures available from their pre-chosen location. This allowed CBS to reduce their financial outlay by joining forces with TNT. TNT aired events under the promotional slogan "The ultimate daytime drama."
At the same moment, CBS also get partnerships with cable broadcasts of The Nashville Network, and Country Music Television.
The 1996 Summer Olympics were sentimentally expected to go to Athens, Greece, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Games. But they didn't. So NBC had the benefit of an Olympics on U.S. soil, and paid $456 million for the privilege. In the end, they cranked out 171 hours of coverage, none of which was handed off to cable partners.
Turner Broadcasting was purchased by Time Warner several months after the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Also contributing to the huge ratings in 1994 were a surprise gold medal by American skier Tommy Moe, as well as Dan Jansen's speed skating gold medal win, and, on the final morning (Eastern time) of the Games, a dramatic championship game in men's hockey between Sweden and Canada (the last such tournament in the "pre-dream-team" era for men's hockey), won by Sweden in a shootout. It should also be noted when the construction of the Lysgårdsbakken jumping hills started in 1992, the hills had to be moved some meters north so CBS could get the best pictures available from their pre-chosen location. This allowed CBS to reduce their financial outlay by joining forces with TNT. TNT aired events under the promotional slogan "The ultimate daytime drama."
At the same moment, CBS also get partnerships with cable broadcasts of The Nashville Network, and Country Music Television.
The 1996 Summer Olympics were sentimentally expected to go to Athens, Greece, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Games. But they didn't. So NBC had the benefit of an Olympics on U.S. soil, and paid $456 million for the privilege. In the end, they cranked out 171 hours of coverage, none of which was handed off to cable partners.
Turner Broadcasting was purchased by Time Warner several months after the 1996 Summer Olympics.
CBS' last coverage of Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan did feature some live prime time coverage in the Eastern United States (the Opening Ceremonies and some alpine skiing events), since these events were being held in the morning local time in Japan, which was prime time in the United States. Much of the men's and women's hockey action was held in the early afternoon (late at night on the East Coast of the United States, allowing again for live television broadcast at 12:30 AM EST), but figure skating was shown about 20 hours after the competitions took place so they could air in prime time.
Through the history, each telecast had a different prime time host(s): Paula Zahn and Tim McCarver in 1992, Greg Gumbel in 1994, and Jim Nantz in 1998. CBS' theme music for their Olympic coverage was composed by Tamara Kline. For Turner broadcasts, Nick Charles and Fred Hickman hosted the coverage from Turner's Atlanta studios in 1992 and 1994, while Jim Lampley was the host in 1998.
The Nagano Olympics was the final Olympics for CBS, completing their trilogy of Winter events ('92, '94, '98). The network paid $375 million to broadcast 123.8 hours of programming. Once again, TNT was called upon as a cable partner to air 50 hours of programming.
With the end of 1990s, it closes the door on the odd timing and many network transitions for U.S. broadcast hosts. However, a new door opens for complete NBC dominance in the 2000s, as the network took over exclusive rights for the next Olympic Games broadcasters.
Through the history, each telecast had a different prime time host(s): Paula Zahn and Tim McCarver in 1992, Greg Gumbel in 1994, and Jim Nantz in 1998. CBS' theme music for their Olympic coverage was composed by Tamara Kline. For Turner broadcasts, Nick Charles and Fred Hickman hosted the coverage from Turner's Atlanta studios in 1992 and 1994, while Jim Lampley was the host in 1998.
The Nagano Olympics was the final Olympics for CBS, completing their trilogy of Winter events ('92, '94, '98). The network paid $375 million to broadcast 123.8 hours of programming. Once again, TNT was called upon as a cable partner to air 50 hours of programming.
With the end of 1990s, it closes the door on the odd timing and many network transitions for U.S. broadcast hosts. However, a new door opens for complete NBC dominance in the 2000s, as the network took over exclusive rights for the next Olympic Games broadcasters.
NBC complete dominant in the 21st century
Coverage in the first decade of the 21st century revolved around two major storylines:
- NBC became the sole U.S. rights holder for the Olympic Games for the entire decade and beyond. The network could rightly boast of being "America's Olympic Network" as it made the longest and most expensive commitment ever since the Olympics were first presented on TV. For the 1996 Summer Games, and all Games from 2000 to 2008, NBC paid a total of $3.5 billion, mostly to the International Olympic Committee but also to the USOC and local organizers. In 2008, NBC paid another $2.2 billion to purchase the rights to the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2012 Summer Olympics but lost $223 million on the 2010 broadcasts.
- The rise of various media platforms extended the reach and availability of Games coverage. NBC returned to supplemental cable/satellite coverage in 2000, with some events on CNBC and MSNBC. In 2004, it added USA Network, Bravo, and Telemundo, all of which parent company NBC Universal had acquired earlier in the decade. In 2006, Universal HD was added to the list of channels carrying the Games. Finally, in 2008, events were streamed live for the first time on the Internet through the website NBCOlympics.com (Also in 2008, Oxygen replaced Bravo as a supplemental network, and NBC launched high-definition channels dedicated to the basketball and soccer competitions). The 2010 Games debuted digital subchannel Universal Sports carrying analysis programs about events, while Oxygen and Bravo were completely excluded to maintain their schedules.
- Once again, it shares coverage with MTV Networks, and of course, CMT and TNN (their ownership shifted to Viacom in the late 1990s after their acquisition of CBS Corporation, Westinghouse's successor). TNN was an acronym of The National Network during the 2000 Summer Olympics and the 2002 Winter Olympics. TNT would change its name to Spike in 2003, before the airing of the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Broadcast bid rivalry
In August 2008, ESPN, which now holds control of ABC's sports division (now known as ESPN on ABC), asserted that they would make a serious bid for the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia and the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
It is not known if the ESPN bid would make those two Olympics cable-exclusive, or if the major events of those two Olympics would continue to be shown on broadcast television, as they have been since 1960.
Meanwhile, in 2011, CBS Sports president Sean McManus said the option to bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics or 2016 Olympics "is not a priority of ours right now."
It is not known if the ESPN bid would make those two Olympics cable-exclusive, or if the major events of those two Olympics would continue to be shown on broadcast television, as they have been since 1960.
Meanwhile, in 2011, CBS Sports president Sean McManus said the option to bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics or 2016 Olympics "is not a priority of ours right now."
Result of NBCUniversal ownership with GE and Comcast
With Comcast taking over NBCUniversal many people thought they would not bid for the television rights for the next Olympics, after losing money from the 2010 Olympics. Also Dick Ebersol left as NBC sports chairman, who lead NBC for overbidding in the last two Olympics. However it was announced on June 6, 2011 that NBCUniversal had won the television rights for the 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 Olympics, beating out ESPN/ABC and Fox. The entire package for the rights was $4.38 billion, making it the most expensive television rights deal in Olympic history. NBC paid $775 million for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and $1.23 billion for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Also NBC paid $963 million for the 2018 Olympics to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea and $1.45 billion for the 2020 Olympics, currently only Rome has announced a bid. NBC has announced that it will begin airing all of the events live on TV or either the internet.
Hours of coverage
CBS
Year | Host | Hours of Coverage |
---|---|---|
1960 Winter | Squaw Valley, California | 15[11] |
1960 Summer | Rome, Italy | 20[11] |
1992 Winter[12] | Albertville, France | 116[11] |
1994 Winter[13] | Lillehammer, Norway | 119.5[11] |
1998 Winter[14] | Nagano, Japan | 123.8[11] |
ABC
Year | Host | Hours of Coverage | Rights Fee |
---|---|---|---|
1964 Winter | Innsbruck, Austria | 17.5 [10] | $597,000 |
1968 Winter | Grenoble, France | 27[10] | $2,500,000 |
1968 Summer[11] | Mexico City, Mexico | 43.75[10] | $4,500,000 |
1972 Summer[12] | Munich, Germany | 62.75[10] | $7,500,000 |
1976 Winter[13] | Innsbruck, Austria | 43.5 | $10,000,000 |
1976 Summer[14] | Montreal, Canada | 76.5 | $25,000,000 |
1980 Winter[15] | Lake Placid, New York | 53.25 | $15,500,000 |
1984 Winter[16] | Sarajevo, Yugoslavia | 63 | $91,500,000 |
1984 Summer[17] | Los Angeles, California | 180 | $225,000,000 |
1988 Winter[18] | Calgary, Canada | 94.5 | $309,000,000 |
NBC
Year | Host | Hours of Coverage | Main article |
---|---|---|---|
1964 Summer | Tokyo, Japan | 45 minutes daily and 12 hours overall.[13] | |
1972 Winter | Sapporo, Japan | 37[13] | |
1980 Summer | Moscow, USSR | primarily highlights[13] | |
1988 Summer | Seoul, South Korea | 179.5[14] | |
1992 Summer | Barcelona, Spain | 161[15] + 1080 on Triplecast[16] | |
1996 Summer | Atlanta, Georgia | 171[17] | |
2000 Summer | Sydney, Australia | 441.5[17] | |
2002 Winter | Salt Lake City, Utah | 375.5[18][19] | |
2004 Summer | Athens, Greece | 1210[17][20] | |
2006 Winter | Torino, Italy | 416[18][21] | |
2008 Summer | Beijing, China | 3600[14] | 2008 Summer Olympics on NBC |
2010 Winter | Vancouver, Canada | 835[22] |
Traditionally, NBC has primarily televised marquee sports in its Olympic coverage. When the network added coverage on its cable partners in 2000, it allowed them to televise other sports. 2004 marked the first year that they televised all 28 sports in the Summer Games. In 2008, aided with online streaming, NBC aired many of the events held at the summer games live.
Commentators
To see the list of commentators of Olympics on CBS, ABC, NBC, and TNT, click one of the follwoing to open it in Wikipedia:
- Olympics on CBS commentators
- Olympics on ABC commentators
- Olympics on NBC commentators
- Olympics on TNT commentators
Music
The main theme of the Olympic coverage is "Bugler's Dream," composed by Leo Arnaud. It debuted on ABC in 1964 for that year's Winter Games in Innsbruck, was used for all ten Olympics carried by that network, and was first used by NBC in 1992, when NBC bought the performance rights and commissioned its own version. Other songs used on NBC include compositions from John Williams (including "Olympic Fanfare and Theme", "The Olympic Spirit", "Summon the Heroes", and "Call of the Champions"), David Arkenstone, and John Tesh (whose "Roundball Rock", best remembered as the theme for NBC's NBA coverage during the 1990s and early 2000s, was added to the basketball coverage in 2008). During the announcements of upcoming events, NBC has used the Randy Edelman composed theme song from the short-lived Fox TV series The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. The theme was also used for NBC's Major League Baseball coverage from the start of the 1996 postseason through the 1998 All-Star Game.
Critics of NBC broadcast
Despite the 2010 Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver, three hours behind New York, and in all of their previous Olympic coverages, NBC has delayed the broadcast of higher-profile events held during the day to air in prime time. As a result, almost none of the popular alpine events were shown live. Executives say this is done because they see better Nielsen ratings with coverage in the evening hours. Nevertheless, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver are assumed to be a financial disaster for NBC, as the network is expecting to lose about $200 million after overpaying for broadcasting rights. However, the tape delay practice even for major events is increasingly frustrating with viewers when considering the increased usage of social networking and Web sites (including the official Vancouver 2010 site and NBC's Olympic website) posting results in real time. This especially holds true for viewers in the Pacific, Mountain, Hawaii, and Alaska time zones, where events are delayed even further by three to six hours or more, and also holds true for events shown live for the East Coast, with very few exceptions.
As a result, these practices has spawned outrage across the internet and even raising concerns from politicians. This has also added to NBC's very negative reputation in recent times among television viewers, along with Jeff Zucker's management and the 2010 Tonight Show conflict. NBC executives are frequently referred to as the "undertakers" of Olympic live coverage.
In the past, American viewers who lived close to the Canadian border were able to get around waiting for NBC to air an event by watching Olympic coverage on CBC Television. However, starting with the 2010 games, rights in Canada moved over to CTV, which is not available on many northern U.S. cable systems due to primetime program redundancy with the American networks.
During the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics, NBC went into an intermission of coverage at the end of the cultural section at 10:30 pm EST, to broadcast the debut of The Marriage Ref, and broadcast the remaining portion of the ceremonies on tape delay at 11:35 pm EST after late local news. This spawned outbursts from upset viewers, especially on Twitter.
During the remaining portion after the "intermission", several performances including Francophone Quebec singer, Garou, was not shown at all even though several other countries broadcast the performance in full. In the US three minutes of commercials were shown in place of his performance. He sang "Un peu plus haut, un peu plus loin" (A Little Higher, A Little Further), written by Jean-Pierre Ferland.
It is announced that NBC will begin to cover all of the Olympics live on either TV or the Internet. However, it is unknown if it will begin the live coverage for the 2012 Olympics or 2014 Olympics.
As a result, these practices has spawned outrage across the internet and even raising concerns from politicians. This has also added to NBC's very negative reputation in recent times among television viewers, along with Jeff Zucker's management and the 2010 Tonight Show conflict. NBC executives are frequently referred to as the "undertakers" of Olympic live coverage.
In the past, American viewers who lived close to the Canadian border were able to get around waiting for NBC to air an event by watching Olympic coverage on CBC Television. However, starting with the 2010 games, rights in Canada moved over to CTV, which is not available on many northern U.S. cable systems due to primetime program redundancy with the American networks.
During the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics, NBC went into an intermission of coverage at the end of the cultural section at 10:30 pm EST, to broadcast the debut of The Marriage Ref, and broadcast the remaining portion of the ceremonies on tape delay at 11:35 pm EST after late local news. This spawned outbursts from upset viewers, especially on Twitter.
During the remaining portion after the "intermission", several performances including Francophone Quebec singer, Garou, was not shown at all even though several other countries broadcast the performance in full. In the US three minutes of commercials were shown in place of his performance. He sang "Un peu plus haut, un peu plus loin" (A Little Higher, A Little Further), written by Jean-Pierre Ferland.
It is announced that NBC will begin to cover all of the Olympics live on either TV or the Internet. However, it is unknown if it will begin the live coverage for the 2012 Olympics or 2014 Olympics.