87 Days Until The Winter Olympics: NBC Sports Plans Record-Breaking Olympic Coverage
For many of the athletes of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, they either do not remember or were not born yet, the last time NBC Sports did not provide coverage of the games. Therefore, when NBC Sports proclaims that they are going to mimic the same format and expect the same success as the Paris Summer Games from 2024, it is hard to argue.
As they would say in Italy: “Se non è rotto, non aggiustarlo.”
They would say the same thing in Paris: “S’il n’est pas cassé, ne le réparez pas.”
We would just say: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
NBC Sports Coverage Begins on February 6, 2026
The Opening Ceremony is set to broadcast live from Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium on Friday, February 6, 2026, kicking off 17 days of competition that will conclude on February 22. Building on the momentum from Paris, NBC Sports aims to replicate the immersive, all-day viewing experience that captivated the nation.
The time zone alignment with Italy makes this possible, allowing for many of the most anticipated events to air live during the day in the United States.
Rick Cordella, President of NBC Sports, said:
“Paris proved that the Olympics are back and remain an unrivaled media property, with the unique ability to captivate the nation and generate huge audiences across all demographics for 17 days and nights. We expect Milan Cortina to carry on that legacy. The time zone allows us to mimic our Paris programming and coverage strategy on NBC and Peacock, which was widely praised and highly consumed. Team USA is poised to have one of its strongest Winter Olympic teams in years, and America has always been fascinated with Italy, its culture, food, and scenery. Milan Cortina has all the ingredients to produce yet another unforgettable Olympics (in February).”
The Past History of Olympic Broadcasting
The current NBC Sports run for the Winter Olympics started in 2002 with the Salt Lake City Games. Those games were hosted by Bob Costas. Added into the hosting mix that year was Jim McKay, who was “on loan” from ABC.
It marked a transition of sorts, as ABC hosted all but one of the Winter Olympics from 1964 to 1988. Many older Americans recognize McKay as the Bob Costas or Mike Tirico of their generation.
For the 2026 Games, Tirico will again host and NBC is committing to more broadcast hours than any previous Winter Olympics. After a full day of live action, the network will debut Primetime in Milan, an enhanced nightly show modeled after its successful Paris predecessor.
This three-hour NBC Sports program promises to be more than just a highlight reel. It will weave together the day’s most compelling competitions with the raw emotion and captivating stories of the athletes, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of northern Italy. The goal is to create a shared, exhilarating experience for the primetime audience.
The Role of Peacock in the Coverage
Peacock is set to become the definitive streaming home for the 2026 Winter Games, offering the most exhaustive Olympic destination in U.S. media history. The service will stream all 116 medal events live, ensuring fans never miss a moment—from early morning alpine skiing runs to the final buzzer of the gold medal hockey game.
Full-event replays, curated video clips, and exclusive original programming will also be available on demand.Fan-favorite features from Paris, including the Gold Zone whip-around show and Multiview, are slated to return, offering even more ways to customize the viewing experience. With every sport and event at their fingertips, Peacock subscribers will have unparalleled access to the Games. Beyond the live coverage, USA Network will once again serve as the 24/7 home for Team USA, with additional programming on CNBC.
