TAGGED AS: Calendar, documentary, NBC, nbcuniversal, olympics, Peacock, Schedule, sports, Tokyo Olympics
(Photo by NBC)
Let the games begin! After a yearlong delay, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are now set to commence with the Opening Ceremony on July 23, 2021. The time difference between Japan and the U.S. means that NBC’s live coverage of the events will happen in the early hours of the morning for U.S. viewers, and will largely happen on streaming service Peacock.
The primetime coverage will include popular events — exact schedule to be determined — with a heavy emphasis on Team USA. Overall, NBC and its subsidiaries (including NBC Sports Network, USA Network, CNBC, the NBC Olympics channel, the Golf Channel, Telemundo, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, and NBCSports.com) will be broadcasting 7,000 hours of Olympic coverage over the two-plus weeks of competition. And that’s not including specials and documentaries on NBC, plus sports- and Olympian-focused programming on other networks throughout the duration of the games, which run from July 23 through August 8.
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Increased COVID-19 safety protocols mean the events will take place without spectators, but NBC has a robust staff on the ground — including news anchors, daytime and late-night hosts, and more — covering the entire Olympics. Live coverage kicks off in the wee hours of July 23, thanks to the 13-hour time difference between Tokyo and the U.S. East Coast, and the opening day programming will include a live broadcast of the opening ceremony, a special edition of the Today show with athlete interviews and reactions, and an NBC Olympic Daytime show before a primetime broadcast of the opening ceremony highlights.
Read on to find out when and where to watch the biggest events — we’ll continue to update as the Games go on — as well as all the other Olympics–themed programming available on broadcast and streaming networks over the next few weeks.
Peacock
The streaming service will not only host a Tokyo Olympics destination featuring live coverage of some of the Games’ biggest events — including gymnastics, track and field, and basketball — it’ll also include new daily live shows, original programming, full event replays, curated highlights, and Olympics channels. All of the coverage will be available to stream for free except the USA Men’s Basketball live coverage, which is only available to Peacock Premium subscribers. Six new Olympics channels include Tokyo Now, plus Great Moments (a collection of the most thrilling moments of past Olympics), Meet the Olympians (profiles and documentaries about top athletes, past and present), Must-See Moments (buzziest moments from past Games), Team USA (highlights of Team USA competing for gold medals in Tokyo), Tokyo Flame (an always-on livestream of the Olympic flame for people who just want to bask in the glow of the Games). Amber Ruffin, Kevin Hart, Snoop Dogg and more will all contribute to the programming.
Olympics-themed programming available on broadcast and streaming networks over the next few weeks.
Tokyo Live: Live competition, interviews, highlights, medal ceremonies and athlete profiles. 6–11 a.m. ET, Peacock.
Tokyo Gold: A comprehensive look at the most compelling performances of the day: outstanding moments with in-depth packages, expert analysis and athlete interviews as daily competition concludes; Tokyo is 13 hours ahead of New York. 11 a.m.–12 p.m. ET; Repeats every hour between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Peacock.
On Her Turf at the Olympics: Celebrating female athletes competing at the Games with features, interviews and timely coverage. 7–7:30 p.m. ET, and one hour earlier on Sundays, Peacock.
Tokyo Tonight: Fast-paced highlights of events as they happen. Interviews, features and live reports from Tokyo to make the viewer feel like they’re at the Games. 7:30 p.m.-midnight ET, and one hour earlier on Sundays, Peacock.
Wednesday, June 30
Strive: This six-part docuseries is about the astonishing men and women forced to flee their countries as refugees all while training for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in Tokyo 2020. Hosted by Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas, Strive follows the journey of refugee athletes as they strive to compete either under the Olympic Refugee Flag or under a new flag after finally settling in a host country. Streaming on The Players’ Tribune YouTube Channel.
Wednesday, July 7
World Debut: This feature-length documentary that tracks the journey of what it takes to add new sports to the Olympic Games and features iconic athletes including Tony Hawk, Emily Harrington, and Sofia Mulanovich. Skateboarding, Surfing and Sport Climbing will join the Games for the first time this summer, and “World Debut” tells the story of how they got there. Streaming on the Olympics YouTube Channel.
Tuesday, July 13
Naomi Osaka: What does it feel like to be one of the best tennis players in the world? An intimate look inside the life of one of the most gifted and complex athletes of her generation offers insight into the tough decisions and ecstatic triumphs that shape Naomi Osaka as both an elite global superstar and a young woman navigating a pressure-filled world. Streaming on Netflix.
Wednesday, July 14
How To Olympics: This eight-episode series gives viewers everything they need to know about select Olympic events through easily digestible, quick-witted, and packed-with-info videos. Covering Sport Climbing, Taekwondo, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Hammer Throw, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Badminton and Fencing, viewers will learn how each event is scored, how to win, and what it takes to master these athletic disciplines. Streaming on the Olympics YouTube Channel.
Tuesday, July 20
Olympic Dreams Featuring Jonas Brothers: The Jonas Brothers train with some of Team USA’s best current and former athletes in gymnastics, track & field and BMX racing, 8 p.m., NBC.
Women’s Softball – Japan vs. Australia (LIVE): 8 p.m., NBCSN and streaming
Women’s Softball – United States vs. Italy (LIVE): 11 p.m., NBCSN and streaming (repeats on July 21 at 4–6 p.m., NBCSN)
Wednesday, July 21
Women’s Softball – Mexico vs. Canada (LIVE): 2–4 a.m., NBCSN and streaming
Women’s Soccer – Great Britain vs. Chile (LIVE): 3:30–5:30 a.m., Olympic Channel (repeats 5:30–7 a.m.)
Women’s Soccer – Pregame Show: 4–4:30 a.m., USA Network
Women’s Soccer – China vs. Brazil (LIVE): 4–6 a.m., NBCSN (repeats at 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
Women’s Soccer – United States vs. Sweden (LIVE): 4:30 a.m., USA Network and streaming (repeats at 8:30–10:30 a.m. and 6–8 p.m. and on July 22 at 11:15 p.m.–1:15 a.m., NBCSN)
Women’s Soccer – Japan vs. Canada (LIVE): 6:30–8:30 a.m., NBCSN (repeats at 12:30–2:15 p.m.)
Women’s Soccer – Netherlands vs. Zambia (LIVE): 7–9 a.m. Olympic Channel
Women’s Soccer – Australia vs. New Zealand (LIVE): 7:30–9:30 a.m., USA Network (repeats at 2:15–4 p.m., NBCSN)
Olympic Dreams Featuring Jonas Brothers: The Jonas Brothers train with some of Team USA’s best current and former athletes in gymnastics, track & field and BMX racing, 8 p.m., NBC.
Women’s Softball – United States vs. Canada (LIVE): 8–10 p.m., NBCSN and streaming (repeats July 22 at 5:30–7:30 p.m.)
Women’s Softball – Mexico vs. Japan(LIVE): 11 p.m.–1 a.m., NBCSN and streaming
Thursday, July 22
Women’s Softball – Italy vs. Australia (LIVE): 2–4 a.m., NBCSN and streaming
Men’s Soccer – group rounds: 3:30-10 a.m. ET, Olympic Channel, NBCSN, USA Network, and streaming
Men’s Soccer – Egypt vs. Spain (LIVE): 3:30–5:30 a.m. Olympic Channel (repeats 6–7:30 a.m., USA Network; 9– 11 a.m. and July 23 1:15–2 a.m., NBCSN)
Men’s Soccer – Mexico vs. France (LIVE): 4–6 a.m., USA Network (repeats at 6–7 a.m. and 11 a.m.–1 p.m., NBCSN)
Men’s Soccer – New Zealand vs. South Korea (LIVE): 4–6 a.m., NBCSN
Men’s Soccer – Cote d’Ivoire vs. Saudi Arabia (LIVE): 5:30 a.m. – 6:30 a.m., Olympic Channel
Men’s Soccer – Argentina vs. Australia (LIVE): 6:30–8:30 a.m., Olympic Channel
Men’s Soccer – Japan vs. South Africa (LIVE): 7 a.m. – 9 a.m., NBCSN (repeats 1–3 p.m.
Men’s Soccer – Brazil vs. Germany (LIVE): 7:30–9:30 a.m., USA Network (repeats 3–5 p.m., NBCSN)
Men’s Soccer – Honduras vs. Romania (LIVE): 8:30–9 a.m., Olympic Channel
Men’s and Women’s Rowing – single, double and quadruple sculls heats (LIVE): 7:30-11:10 p.m. ET, NBCSN and streaming
Break the Record: This family series from the U.K. features kids interrogating and challenging some of the most extraordinary Guinness World Records title holders. The show features long jump Olympic medalist Greg Rutherford, tennis player and Olympic medalist Laura Robson, deadlift strongwoman and former World’s Strongest Woman Andrea Thompson, and parkour expert Ryan Luney. During each episode, a group of kids will be mentored by one of the Guinness World Records title holders in preparation for attempting their very own record. Streaming on the Guinness World Records Official YouTube Channel.
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Friday, July 23
Olympic Highlights With Kevin Hart and Snoop Dogg — This hilariously funny commentary series, co-hosted by sports and Olympics enthusiasts Kevin Hart and Snoop Dogg, will recap the Olympics’ most impressive displays of athleticism, as well as the moments that don’t go as planned. Streaming on Peacock.
Live Opening Ceremony Coverage – 6:55 a.m. ET/3:55 a.m. PT, NBC
Special Edition of Today – 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT, NBC
Tokyo Olympics Daytime – 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, NBC
Primetime Opening Ceremony – 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT, NBC
Opening Ceremony Primetime Encore – 9:10 p.m. PT, NBC
Sunday, July 25
Men’s Basketball – USA vs. France: Peacock
Men’s Soccer – group stage: 3:30-10 a.m., NBCSN and streaming
Monday, July 26
Swimming: Live coverage of the medal races in the men’s 200m freestyle, women’s 100m backstroke, men’s 100m backstroke and women’s 100m breaststroke, 8 p.m. ET, NBC
U.S. Women’s Basketball — U.S. vs. Nigeria: 12:40 a.m. ET Tuesday/9:40 p.m. PT, NBC
Women’s Beach Volleyball — 8 p.m. ET, CNBC
Tuesday, July 27
Women’s Gymnastics, Team Final — 6:45 a.m. ET, Peacock; 8 p.m. ET, NBC
Swimming: women’s 200m and 1500m freestyle, women’s 200m individual medley, men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, men’s 200m butterfly — live, 8 p.m. ET, NBC
Women’s Soccer: U.S. vs. Australia, 4 a.m. ET, USA
Men’s Basketball: U.S. vs. Iran, 12:40 a.m. ET Wednesday/9:40 p.m. PT Tuesday, Peacock
Wednesday, July 28
Men’s Soccer – group stage: 4-10 a.m., NBCSN and streaming
Saturday, July 31
Women’s 100M, Track and Field Finals — Peacock
Sunday, August 1
Men’s 100M Track and Field Finals — Peacock
Wednesday, August 4
Women’s Volleyball Quarterfinal – U.S. vs. Dominican Republic, NBC
Equestrian – Individual Jumping Final, NBC
Artistic Swimming – Duet Final, NBC
Diving – Women’s Platform Qualifying, NBC
Women’s Beach Volleyball Semifinals – U.S. vs. Switzerland, NBC
Track & Field – Finals, Semifinals and Qualifying, NBC
Diving – Women’s Platform Semifinal, NBC and CNBC
Skateboarding, NBC and CNBC
Canoeing, NBC and CNBC
Women’s Volleyball Quarterfinal – U.S. vs. Dominican Republic, USA Network
Men’s Water Polo Quarterfinal – U.S. vs. Spain, USA Network and NBCSN
Women’s Basketball, USA Network and NBCSN
Sport Climbing, USA Network and NBC
Cycling, USA Network
Women’s Handball, USA Network
Weightlifting, USA Network
Wrestling, USA Network and Olympic Channel
Boxing, USA Network
Baseball, NBCSN
Men’s Beach Volleyball, NBCSN
Field Hockey, NBCSN
Men’s Water Polo, NBCSN
Equestrian, NBCSN
Golf, Golf Channel
Men’s Basketball Semifinal – U.S. vs. Australia, Peacock
Thursday, August 5
Men’s Basketball, NBC and USA Network and NBCSN
Canoeing, NBC and USA Network and CNBC
Women’s Water Polo, NBC and USA Network and NBCSN
Sport Climbing – Men’s Final, NBC and NBCSN
Cycling – Track Finals, NBC
Track & Field Finals and Semifinals, NBC and NBCSN and Peacock and Telemundo
Women’s Beach Volleyball – Final, NBC
Skateboarding – Men’s Park Final, NBC and NBCSN
Diving – Women’s Platform Final, NBC and USA Network
Women’s Soccer Final – Sweden vs. Canada – LIVE, NBC and USA Network
Women’s Basketball Semifinal – U.S. vs. Serbia – LIVE, NBC
Men’s Field Hockey, USA Network and NBCSN
Women’s Soccer Bronze Medal – U.S. vs. Australia – LIVE, USA Network
Baseball Semifinal – U.S. vs. South Korea – LIVE, USA Network
Men’s Volleyball Semifinal, USA Network
Cycling, USA Network
Beach Volleyball, USA Network
Men’s Handball, USA Network and CNBC and NBCSN
Karate Finals, USA Network
Boxing Finals, USA Network
Wrestling Finals, USA Network
Gymnastics – Rhythmic Individual Qualifying, USA Network
Women’s Volleyball, CNBC and NBCSN
Beach Volleyball – Women’s Bronze Medal – LIVE, CNBC
Field Hockey – Women’s Bronze Medal, CNBC
Modern Pentathlon – Men’s and Women’s Fencing Ranking Rounds, CNBC
Field Hockey – Women’s Bronze Medal, CNBC
Table Tennis, NBCSN
Wrestling, Olympic Channel
Women’s Golf Second and Third Rounds, Golf Channel
TBD
For Ball and Country — The greatest men’s basketball players in America set aside their on-court rivalries and form a star-studded team to represent their country on Team USA. In addition to an all-access look at the 2021 team’s training camp in Las Vegas, the series goes into USA Basketball video vault with never-before-seen footage of this storied program. From the iconic 1992 team to the “Redeem Team” to today, the documentary will provide a unique look into some of the greatest teams ever assembled. Streaming on Peacock.
Golden — This series follows elite American gymnasts Laurie Hernandez, Morgan Hurd, Sunisa Lee, Konnor McClain, and MyKayla Skinner on their individual and intertwining journeys as Team USA hopefuls leading up to the Tokyo Olympics. The series reveals how their preparation for the Games was fundamentally altered by the pandemic, over a five-month period as they continue their grueling training regimens. Streaming on Peacock.
The Sisters of ’96: The 1996 USA Women’s Olympic Soccer Team — When the U.S. Women’s National Team made it to the Olympic soccer in Atlanta, their gold medal match was not fully televised. Now, Peacock is making it available in full for the first time and debuting an hour-long special that reunites stars Brandi Chastain, Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly, Shannon MacMillan, Briana Scurry, and Tisha Venturini. For the first time, the women will come together on the field where they played that inaugural Olympic final to watch the match together and give viewers have a front-row seat as they recount their victory and the lasting legacy of their team. Streaming on Peacock.
Get a localized Olympics schedule at NBCOlympics.com.
Thumbnail image photo credit: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
