The Tokyo Olympics will be contested from July 23 – Aug. 8, 2021, and will be presented across the networks and platforms of NBCUniversal. You can view our full streaming and broadcast schedule, a high-level schedule grid for all sports, as well as the full competition schedule on NBCOlympics.com
During the Games, Tokyo will be 13 hours ahead of EDT, 16 ahead of PDT. So an event that starts at 10:00a local time Monday will be at 9:00p EDT on Sunday night.
This marks the fourth Olympics staged in Japan, following Tokyo 1964 (summer), Sapporo 1972 (winter) and Nagano 1988 (winter).
There will be a record-high 339 medal events across 41 sports.
Baseball and softball return to the Olympic program after not being included in 2012 and 2016, along with five new sports debuting in Tokyo:
- Basketball 3×3
- Karate
- Skateboarding
- Sport Climbing
- Surfing
Some notable events added in other sports include:
- Archery – Mixed Team
- Cycling – BMX Freestyle
- Judo – Mixed Team
- Swimming – Men’s 800m, Women’s 1500m, 4x100m Medley Mixed Relay
- Track & Field – 4x400m Mixed Relay
- Triathlon – Mixed Relay
Originally scheduled for Summer 2020, the Tokyo Olympics were postponed until Summer 2021 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The Opening Ceremony will now take place on Friday, July 23, 2021, with competition beginning as early as Wednesday, July 21 and TV / streaming coverage beginning in the United States on the night of Tuesday, July 20. The Games will conclude with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 8.
Tokyo Olympic programming will be available across the television networks of NBCUniversal, including NBC, NBCSN, USA Network, CNBC, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, Golf Channel, Telemundo and NBC Universo. See full Tokyo Olympics TV listings on NBCOlympics.com.
Streaming coverage of the Games will also be available in the NBC Sports app, on NBCOlympics.com, and for the first time on Peacock. See a full streaming schedule for NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app, as well as Peacock’s Olympic home.
On Television
- NBC — Programming will be highlighted by the nightly primetime show, featuring gymnastics, swimming, track & field and more, as well as daytime programming. The Opening Ceremony will be shown LIVE in the morning on NBC on Friday, July 23, and again in primetime that night.
- NBCSN — A wide array of live and taped programming from a multitude of sports around the clock, beginning on July 21.
- USA Network — A wide array of live and taped programming from a multitude of sports around the clock, beginning on July 21.
- CNBC — A wide array of live and taped programming from a multitude of sports in the evening and overnight, beginning on July 24.
- Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA — A heavy emphasis on tennis and wrestling, in addition to other sports, beginning on July 21.
- Golf Channel — Live Olympic golf competition and additional Olympic golf programming.
- Telemundo & NBC Universo — Spanish language programming of the Olympic Games
On NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app
- Live streams and full event replays of every Olympic event, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
- Simulstreams of all television coverage
- Highlights of every sport plus features, interviews and more short-form video clips
On Peacock
Peacock’s Olympic coverage will be highlighted by the following four shows, which will stream for free on Tokyo NOW, Peacock’s channel for live coverage, highlights, interviews, and the best stories of the Games.
Tokyo LIVE — Each morning on Peacock, Tokyo LIVE will present live coverage of some of the day’s Olympic events, including gymnastics and track & field. Tokyo LIVE will feature live competition, interviews, highlights, medal ceremonies and athlete profiles. Tokyo LIVE will stream from 6 – 11 a.m. ET daily.
Tokyo Gold — Tokyo Gold will give viewers a comprehensive look at the most compelling performances of the day. This hour-long highlight program will showcase outstanding moments with in-depth packages, expert analysis and compelling athlete interviews. Tokyo Gold will stream 11 a.m. – noon ET daily as competition concludes in Tokyo, and will repeat every hour between noon ET – 7 p.m. ET Monday – Saturday and noon ET- 6P ET on Sunday.
On Her Turf at the Olympics — Peacock will celebrate female athletes competing at the Tokyo Olympics with features, interviews and timely coverage. Women have won more than 50% of Team USA’s medals at the last two Summer Olympics and On Her Turf will follow their biggest female stars in Tokyo. Follow On Her Turf, NBC Sports’ female empowerment brand, on Instagram and Twitter leading up to the Games. On Her Turf at the Olympics will stream Monday – Saturday from 7 to 7:30 p.m. ET and Sunday from 6 – 6:30 p.m. ET.
Tokyo Tonight — Peacock will wrap up the evening with Tokyo Tonight. The primetime show will put the viewer in the middle of the competition day in Tokyo with fast paced highlights of events as they happen. Interviews, features and live reports from the host city will all be used to make the viewer feel like they are at the Games. Tokyo Tonight will stream Monday – Saturday from 7:30 p.m. – midnight ET and Sunday from 6:30 – 11 p.m. ET.
Peacock will also be the home for United States’ men’s basketball, with every Team USA men’s basketball game available to stream on Peacock.
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How to Watch Olympics Live Stream for Free From Anywhere
Are you looking for an easy way to watch the 2021 Olympics online? You have come to the right place. Find out precise details on how to live stream the Olympic games for free no matter where you live.
When are the Olympics 2021?
After being postponed for a year, the Summer Olympics 2020 are finally happening and will start on July 23 at 7 a.m. ET in Tokyo, Japan. There are no spectators allowed due to the COVID-19 situation, even if you are a Japanese citizen. However, you can always enjoy live-action online no matter where you are in the world right now.
Where to Watch Olympics 2021
If you are a cord-cutter, BBC iPlayer is the best place to live stream the Olympic games free in English commentary. Besides BBC iPlayer, you can enjoy the Olympics Opening Ceremony and the best games on Peacock, Zattoo, TSN, TVNZ On-Demand, 7plus, and more online channels.
How to Watch Olympics 2021 Without Cable
BBC iPlayer and Peacock are by far the best options to enjoy the Tokyo Olympics 2021 without cable. From Olympic tennis live stream to gymnastics, boxing, football, and swimming, all major sports are available to stream on the aforementioned services. Moreover, many streaming services provide quick access to the 2021 Olympics in an instant if you play your cards right.
Watch Olympics in the USA for Free Online
You can easily stream Olympics on Peacock for free online if you happen to be in the United States. Just start a Peacock free trial with a new username and password to enjoy Olympics live streaming without cable. The only caveat is that Peacock is not available outside the US. To get around this regional problem, don’t forget to use a VPN on your device.
- Get a VPN.
- Connect to a US server.
- Watch the Summer Olympics 2021 on Peacock for free.
Watch the 2021 Olympics Live Online in Australia
7plus provides fast access to free Olympics streams in Australia. All you have to do is create a new 7plus account and get started with Olympics live streaming. The service holds licensing rights to broadcast all Olympic games free of charge. However, you might run into region-locked problems if you are not currently in Australia. Download and install a VPN if you can’t seem to access 7plus due to regional restrictions.
- Get a VPN.
- Connect to an Australian server.
- Enjoy the 2021 Olympics live online.
Watch the Tokyo Olympics in Singapore
You can get the Olympics stream for free on any sports channel in Singapore because the Olympic channel is available in many countries without any subscription. However, if you can’t seem to get your hands on Olympics live streams, try LiveNOW, an online streaming service that provides easy access to the 2021 Olympics.
- Get a VPN.
- Connect to a Singapore server.
- Live stream the Olympics from anywhere.
Watch Olympics in the UK Free Stream
BBC iPlayer and Eurosport are available in the UK for free that will broadcast all the best Olympic games and the Opening Ceremony on July 23, 2021. If you are not an existing BBC iPlayer subscriber, simply create a new account and enjoy every minute of the Olympics action without any trouble. If you are not in the UK and travelling abroad, use a reliable VPN and get around regional limitations.
- Get a VPN.
- Connect to a UK server.
- Watch the Tokyo Olympics live online.
Watch the 2021 Olympics in Canada Free Stream
Besides CBC and TSN, you can also stream the Olympics on Sportsnet, a streaming service that is very popular in Canada. You can get a new Sportsnet account for only $19.99/month and watch the Tokyo Olympics live online. Always use a VPN to watch Sportsnet content when you are outside Canada.
- Get a VPN.
- Connect to a Canada server.
- Enjoy Olympics live streaming.
Live Stream the Summer Olympics in New Zealand
If you don’t know where to watch the 2021 Olympics in New Zealand, try Sky Go. The service doesn’t allow you to enjoy the Olympics stream for free but provides fast access to all the best games and live sports. If you have a Sky subscription, you can enjoy the 2021 Olympics on Sky Go without any restrictions.
- Get a VPN.
- Connect to New Zealand from the server list.
- Watch the Olympics 2020 buffer-free.
Who Are the Olympic Mascots?
Miraitowa is the official Olympics mascot for the Summer Olympics 2020. You will get to see him at the Opening Ceremony and the games from time to time.
Meet the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games mascots. The two figures were chosen by Japanese elementary students.
People Also Ask
How can I watch the Olympics online for free?
BBC iPlayer provides free Olympic streaming and will broadcast every minute of the action online. You can start streaming the Olympic games on July 23 that will run through August 8. If you happen to be outside the UK, download and install a VPN to get access to BBC iPlayer within no time.
How can I stream the Olympics live?
If you are a cable-cutter, there are tons of ways to live stream the Summer Olympics live. You can try BBC iPlayer, Peacock, Eurosport, Sportsnet, Sling TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and many more streaming services based on the country you are in. Enjoy tennis matches, boxing streams, football matches, swimming, or gymnastics live online at the Tokyo Olympics.
What channel can I watch the Olympics on?
The Olympic Channel is available in a few countries that will provide comprehensive coverage of the best games. Further, you can enjoy video highlights, the latest news, and the best moments of the day on the Olympic Channel.
When is the Olympics Opening Ceremony?
The Opening Ceremony is on July 23, where you get to see amazing performances and the main parade. You can also watch the Closing Ceremony on August 8 after the end of the Olympic games.
Are you a fan of Olympic cycling? This guide provides precise details on how you can stream cycling at the Olympic Games for free and enjoy the races as they happen.
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How to Stream Cycling at Olympic Games for Free From Anywhere
If you have no clue where to watch Cycling at the Olympic games without buying a channel subscription, get BBC iPlayer and enjoy live streaming of all cycling races at the Olympics 2021. Better yet, you can enjoy all of it for free if you happen to be in the United Kingdom. If you are not currently in the UK, here’s what you need to do to get access to BBC iPlayer from anywhere:
- Get: a VPN for Summer Olympics
- Connect: to a UK server.
- Watch: cycling at the Olympic Games for free on BBC iPlayer.
Stream Cycling at the Olympics Games Without Cable
The best places to enjoy the Summer Olympics live online are FuboTV, Sling TV, ESPN, Eurosport, CBC, France TV, and Peacock, as these channels will provide comprehensive coverage of the whole Olympics event, including cycling. However, some of these channels are region-locked and you can’t get access to them unless you have a VPN.
Where to Watch the Cycling Olympics 2021 in Your Country
A VPN helps you virtually transport yourself to another country. For example, you can live in South Africa and connect to a UK server and use BBC iPlayer just like a UK citizen. This is how a VPN works; it provides you access to any region-locked service whether you’re traveling abroad, relocating, or simply unable to access your local channel . Below is a list of streaming channels where you can watch cycling Olympics 2021, or use a VPN to get quick access to any one of them:
Enjoy Cycling at the Olympics Online in the United States
FuboTV is the official broadcaster of the Summer Olympics in the United States. You can watch all the best games, including cycling, on FuboTV if you happen to be an existing subscriber. The service provides quick access to 100+ channels online and supports many streaming devices. If you need access to FuboTV content, don’t forget to use a VPN and connect to a US server (in any US state/city) first.
Get Live Coverage of Cycling Olympics in the United Kingdom
BBC iPlayer is available for free in the UK, and for those who have a VPN connected to the UK at their disposal. The service offers video highlights, the Opening Ceremony, and all live games of the Tokyo Olympics for free. Further, you can enjoy the Olympics 2021 in English commentary with just an account subscription.
Live Stream the Cycling Olympics in Canada
CBC is home to live sporting events which includes the Summer Olympics. If you happen to be in Canada, watch cycling Olympics 2021 live on CBC on any device whether you have an Android or iOS device, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV. Not in Canada at the moment? Get a VPN, connect it to a Canadian server, and bypass regional restrictions in an instant.
Watch Cycling at the Olympics 2021 in France
You can enjoy cycling at the Summer Olympics easily on France TV, the service has streaming rights to live stream the big event. If you are not in France, download and install a VPN on your device and connect to a server in France to get fast access to France TV from anywhere in the world.
Stream Cycling Olympics Live Online in Australia
Get live coverage of the Olympics games for free on Channel 7. You can watch the Cycling Olympics 2021 in English commentary on the Seven network in Australia. If you are flying abroad and can’t seem to access Channel 7, simply use a VPN that connects you to a server in Australia.
Thursday
NEW YORK — Every Olympic event will be streamed live.
To watch online, though, you’ll must be a paying cable or satellite subscriber.
As with past Olympics, NBC is requiring proof of a subscription. If you’ve already given up on traditional cable or satellite television, you can sign up for an online TV service such as PlayStation Vue or YouTube TV. Otherwise, your video will cut out after a half-hour grace period.
The subscription requirement also applies to coverage on virtual-reality headsets.
More than 1,800 hours of online coverage has begun in the United States. Here’s a guide to watching the Olympics online.
NBC’s over-the-air network will cover popular sports such as figure skating and skiing, some of it live.
For those who can’t get to a television, NBC will stream the broadcast at NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app. There, though, you’ll need your paid-TV credentials to sign in — even though you can watch the network over the air for free.
The sports network NBCSN will be the main overflow location, carrying events such as the biathlon, bobsled and luge. Coverage on CNBC and USA Network will be limited to curling and ice hockey. The Olympic Channel will have medal ceremonies, news and highlights but not event coverage. Coverage on all four of these cable networks will also be streamed online.
Much of the online coverage will come from the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Broadcasting Services, meaning that the spotlight will be on all athletes, not just Americans. In addition to live events, you can get streams of some training and practice runs. NBC also plans digital-only shows, including a daily two-hour wrap-up starting at noon ET (2 a.m. the next morning in Pyeongchang).
Some cable companies plan special features. NBC owner Comcast will include online coverage on its TV set-top boxes and TV coverage on its mobile apps to offer viewers one-stop access to the Olympics. Comcast and other cable providers will also offer the opening ceremony and other events in sharper “4K” resolution, though with a day’s delay.
Intel is working with the Olympic Broadcasting Services to produce virtual-reality coverage of 30 events, including 18 events (55 hours) of live coverage.
During the Rio Olympics in 2016, virtual-reality coverage typically wasn’t live and required Samsung’s Gear VR headsets with a Samsung phone. This time, VR is available on Google Daydream and Microsoft Mixed Reality headsets as well. Those without a headset can still watch on web browsers or Apple and Android mobile devices. In the United States, you’ll need the NBC Sports VR app.
VR isn’t meant to replace television. Although Intel’s VR productions of baseball and other sports had their own announcers, the Olympics coverage will rely on regular TV coverage embedded in the VR experience. And most of the VR video will be in 180 degrees — you’ll see the action in front of you and a little bit to the sides but not what’s behind you. Videos in 360 degrees will be limited to noncompetition features such as a demo run down the bobsled.
But VR will offer more leader boards and stats than television, along with the ability to choose camera positions. For downhill skiing, for instance, you might prefer watching from a particular location on the mountain, the way a spectator would, rather than have the camera shift as the skier goes down. For figure skating, one camera will be near the judges, so you can get their vantage point. There will be no cameras on the rink or on any athletes.
Nonsubscribers to cable or satellite TV
For the most part, access to an online TV service — one that streams many of the channels you’d get from a cable subscription — will also let you use the NBC apps for streaming and VR.
Google’s YouTube TV has the lowest price for all five Olympic TV channels, at $35 a month. Google says the service is available in more than 80 U.S. markets, covering more than 80 percent of households, although the NBC network isn’t available everywhere.
In excluded markets, you could check out a rival. What works best will depend on your needs:
• DirecTV Now also has a $35-a-month offering. But the Olympic Channel is part of a higher tier, at $60 a month, and DirecTV Now generally won’t let you record programs for viewing later (a DVR feature is still being tested among some subscribers).
• Hulu with Live TV is $40 a month for all five channels and DVR.
• PlayStation Vue, Sling TV and FuboTV are all $45 for comparable packages. But you can bring Sling TV’s bill down to $30 for just the two main Olympic channels and DVR. PlayStation is $40 without the Olympic Channel.
Free trials are available, and you can cancel after the Olympics. Most services let you enter your ZIP code to check whether the NBC station is available. Streaming might be restricted where the station isn’t available.
The NBC Sports app and the NBCOlympics website offer highlights, interviews and features on athletes with no subscription required. You’ll also have full access to scores, schedules and guides to understanding obscure events.
Samsung, an Olympic sponsor, developed the official Apple and Android app for the games, called PyeongChang 2018. It has schedules, news and 3-D and drone views of the venues.
The games’ official website (pyeongchang2018.com) also has live video of the Olympic torch relay.
Traditional media organizations will also cover the event, even though extensive video from the official venues are restricted to the rights-holding broadcasters. The Associated Press, for instance, has a Winter Games hub with traditional text, photo and video coverage alongside graphics breaking down complicated moves in figure skating and snowboarding and daily illustrations from sketch artist Dan Archer.
August 28, 2017 Ashtyn Evans
The modern Olympics are a series of International sporting events meant to celebrate the world’s most talented athletes. Thousands of athletes compete from around the world to prove they are the best of the best. The games we know today were derived from the Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece that occurred as far back as 8 th century BC. The Olympics are always the most watched sporting events when they air. Are you ready to watch the Olympics online? Keep reading to learn more!
If you want to watch the Olympics without cable, you’re in the right place to learn how. The Olympics will air on multiple channels over the course of the events, but you can watch the Olympics live stream on the services listed below! We can even tell you how to watch the Olympics online free!
Watch the Olympics Online with DIRECTV NOW
Stream the Olympics online using DIRECTV NOW. Four different packages start at just $35/month for 60+ channels! Your lineup includes MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Bravo, NBCSN, ESPN, Velocity, FS1, FS2, ESPN2, MTV, AMC, FX, TNT, TBS, National Geographic, Discovery, and TLC. Streaming devices you can use for viewing DIRECTV NOW content include Roku, mobile devices, and Chromecast. You can also stream using the NBC Sports app. Local channels, like NBC, are available in live stream, especially in certain cities like New York and Chicago, and on-demand.
Find out all the ways you can stream the Olympics using this service in our DIRECTV NOW review. You may be able to watch the Olympics online free during the DIRECTV NOW free week trial!
fuboTV offers the Olympics Streaming
Another way to stream the Olympics live is through fuboTV. Your package will cost $35 a month for over 60 channels. Your lineup includes CNBC, MSNBC, NBCSN, Bravo, USA, Revolt, Eleven Sports, BTN, BeIN Sports, GOLF, NBA TV, FOX regional sports networks, Olympics Channel, Sprout, Food Network, Chiller, and HGTV. Stream local channels live stream, depending on where you live, and on-demand. NBC is one of the channels you can stream. You can stream fuboTV on multiple popular streaming devices including web browsers, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and mobile devices. The NBC Sports app is also available to watch live no matter where you live in the US.
The fuboTV free week trial may just be your way to stream the Olympics live, for free. Our fuboTV review has a lot of info on the service, so make sure to check it out!
Get the Olympics Live Stream on Sling TV
Sling TV’s $25/month Sling Blue package offers 40 channels and many of them will allow you to watch the Olympics without cable. You’ll get NBCSN, USA, Bravo, NBC (in select areas or on-demand), and many other channels. You can also add channels to your package starting at $5/month. Watch the Olympics streaming on Roku, mobile devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, and more.
You can watch Sling TV free for a full week. Make sure to look for other special offers, as well. Our Sling TV review has more details.
Watch the Olympics Streaming on PlayStation Vue
Streaming the Olympics live online through PlayStation Vue is easy. Pick a package for between $40 and $75 a month. You get channels like NBCSN, Bravo, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, ESPN, WE tv, AMC, TBS, FS1, Animal Planet, BBC America, Science, TNT, and Pop. Stream live using the NBC Sports app. You can also use PS3/PS4, Roku, Amazon Fire devices, mobile devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, and web browsers. Mobile restrictions are a part of the PlayStation Vue service, but you can bypass them using TV Everywhere apps. Locals stream live in some locations for channels like NBC, and on demand all across the country.
Our PlayStation Vue review offers a lot more information on the service. Make sure to sign up for the PlayStation Vue free 5-day trial to watch the Olympics online free for the first five days!
If you have any questions and need more details on how to watch the Olympics online, just leave us a comment. You can also learn more about streaming sports without cable, here.
The Summer Olympics usually happen once every four years, but that changed in 2020 because of the pandemic. Now the 2020 Summer Olympics will be held in 2021, but they’re still being called the 2020 Summer Olympics. That’s unnecessarily confusing, but at least the location is the same: Tokyo. The games begin in late July, and Olympics fans won’t want to miss the thrilling broadcast. But for cord-cutters, catching all the action can be tough. How can you watch or stream the Olympics without cable?
Here are a few of our favorite ways to stream the Olympics:
Thankfully, you have some options. Here’s our complete guide to watching the 2020 Olympics.
What Channel Are the Olympics On?
There are many great ways to watch live TV without cable. But which channels do you need to watch the Olympics? The broadcast rights to the Olympics are held by NBCUniversal, which means you’ll be looking for coverage on NBC-owned networks — NBCSN and NBC in particular.
How to Watch the Olympics Online and Over the Air Without Cable
Stream the Olympics for free with AT&T TV
If you want livestreams of NBC and NBCSN to watch the Olympics without cable, then you may want to consider AT&T TV. Formerly known as AT&T TV NOW, and before that DIRECTV NOW, this is AT&T’s live TV streaming service.
Stream the Olympics for free with Hulu
Hulu + Live TV is a live TV streaming service controlled by Disney. The channel selection is great, and it includes the channels you’ll need to watch the Olympics without cable — NBC and NBCSN.
Stream the Olympics for free with fuboTV
fuboTV bills itself as the best live TV streaming service for sports fans. That may or may not be true, but you’ll certainly find plenty of sports coverage on fuboTV during the Olympics because it offers livestreams of NBC and NBCSN.
Stream the Olympics with Sling TV
Sling TV wasn’t previously known for carrying local channels, but now it offers an NBC livestream in a few markets. If you live in the right city, you can watch the Olympics events that air on NBC through Sling TV. No matter where you live, you can use Sling TV to watch events on NBCSN, which is available nationwide with the Sling Blue package. For more, check out Sling TV’s complete channel lineup.
YouTube TV
Google’s live TV streaming service offers livestreams of both NBC and NBCSN, which makes it a strong choice for people who want to catch all the biggest moments at this year’s Olympic Games. To find out more about YouTube TV, refer to our YouTube TV review.
Free Over-the-Air TV
NBC has the rights to the Olympics this year, which means the biggest events — including the opening and closing ceremonies — will be broadcast on NBC’s flagship station. If you live in an urban or suburban area, then the odds are very good that you can get all those broadcasts for free over the air.
Some minor events will be limited to NBCSN and won’t be available over the air, but the biggest moments from the games will be available to most cord-cutters. Now is a great time to invest in a decent antenna to watch all the great content for free. OTA broadcasts can do just about everything cable broadcasts can: Over-the-air TV is available in high definition, and you can even record OTA broadcasts using OTA DVRs.
Can I Watch the Olympics on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast?
The Olympics won’t always wait for you to be at home in front of the biggest TV possible. Luckily, you have tons of options for streaming the Olympic Games. Check out the chart below for details.
| Roku | Fire TV | Apple TV | Android TV | Chromecast | iOS | Android | Web/ browser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T TV | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Hulu + Live TV | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| fuboTV | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sling TV | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Youtube TV | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
More to Watch for Olympics Fans
This article focused on the Summer Olympics, but why not watch the Winter Olympics too? They’ll be in Beijing in February 2022, which means NBC will be broadcasting both a Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics in the span of about seven months. If you like snowboarding just as much as swimming, our guide to watching the Winter Olympics without cable can give you the scoop.
Page URL
The 2018 Winter Olympic Games officially began Friday, Feb. 9, in PyeongChang, South Korea, with the opening ceremony. Athletes marched into the Olympic stadium under their country’s flag as part of the highly-anticipated Parade of Nations. And if you couldn’t be there in person or were unable to watch the Olympics opening ceremony live early this morning, NBC has you covered with their primetime coverage starting at 8 p.m. ET.
This year, North and South Korea marched in the Olympics opening ceremony under the same flag in a somewhat controversial show of diplomacy. Spectators were also able to see different aspects of Korean culture on a cold night, given that the PyeongChang Stadium was built without a roof and does not contain a central heating system. Forecasters predicted that the weather in PyeongChang could drop as low as 7 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill. But don’t worry: Olympics Organizers handed out blankets and heating pads to keep spectators warm.
Here’s how you can watch the Olympics opening ceremony Here’s all the ways you can watch and stream the opening ceremony live, including free options:
Watch the Olympics opening ceremony live online
While some dedicated fans caught the Olympics opening ceremony live when it aired at 6 a.m. E.T. Friday, night owls can watch NBC’s television broadcast hosted by Katie Couric and Mike Tirico starting at 8 p.m. E.T. / 5 p.m. P.T., which you can also watch on NBCOlympics.com. You can watch the Olympics opening ceremony without cable, too, if you use an HDTV antenna.
Stream the Olympics opening ceremony for free
If an antenna does not work out, there are several streaming services that will air the Olympics opening ceremony with the purchase of a subscription.
Platforms like YouTube TV, Sling TV Blue, DirecTV Now, PlayStation Vue, Hulu With Live TV, FuboTV and CenturyLink Stream will offer NBC as part of their subscription packages, and some have free trials for first-time users.
These alternatives add up to an all-access pass to the 2016 Summer Games.
Freelance contributor, TechHive |
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Rio 2016 promises to be the “most live Olympics ever.” It may also end up being the most-streamed, thanks to a wealth of options that enable cord cutters catch all the action.
More than 10,500 athletes from 206 countries will compete in the Games of the XXXI Olympiad this August. NBCUniversal (NBCU), which has exclusive broadcasting rights to the Olympic Games, will air 6,755 hours of Olympic programming across its channels and digital platforms. That includes NBC, NBCSN, Bravo, USA Network, MSNBC, CNBC, and Golf Channel.
NBC will deliver the most TV coverage of the 2016 Summer Games.
That’s enough to stop the heart of any cord-cutting Olympics enthusiast. With the exception of its flagship station, all NBCU’s channels are cable networks. And though NBC will live stream 4,500 hours of coverage on NBCOlympics.com and through the NBC Sports app, both require users to authenticate their pay-TV subscriptions.
The good news is today there are alternatives for cord cutters we couldn’t dream of at the time of the last Summer Games just four years ago. And with very little hassle or expense, you can be sure you won’t miss a single medal-winning performance.
Catch the Olympics over the air
The simplest and least expensive way to get your Olympic fix without cable is with an OTA antenna. You’ll only be able to tune in to NBC, as the other channels are not broadcast, but that will still give you access to a significant portion of the Games. The network is slated to deliver more than 260 hours of coverage, including some of the Olympics’ most popular sports: gymnastics, swimming, diving, track and field, beach volleyball, and the men’s and women’s basketball finals. It will also carry the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
NBC also goes behind and beyond the competition. Its coverage includes athlete features, interviews with medal winners, and segments on the host city and country. Not bad considering it’s all free for the watching (you’ll have to suffer through commercials, though).
In our most recent roundup, the Mohu ReLeaf delivered the best bang for the buck among OTA antennas, but you’ll want an amplified model if you live far from the nearest broadcast tower.
Subscribe to a Sling TV package (or three)
If you’re willing to shell out a few bucks for your Olympic viewing, there’s good reason to go with Sling TV. With a few cherry-picked packages, you can get every channel covering this year’s Games.
At a minimum, you should subscribe to the Sling Blue package for $25 a month. This 40-plus-channel service gets you the following networks:
For an additional $5 per month, you can tack on the World News Extra package to your subscription to get MSNBC and CNBC. This adds another 120.5 hours of Olympic viewing, including more cycling, rugby, archery, wrestling, and water polo. CNBC also carries elimination-round coverage of basketball and volleyball.
You can stream Sling TV to most devices, including Amazon’s Fire Tablet.
Golf geeks should also consider adding the Sports Extra Package for another $5 per month. That will provide access to Golf Channel for a whopping 115 hours of tournament coverage and in-depth analysis.
That’s just $35 for a month of Sling TV, with no obligation to continue your subscription once the Olympics conclude—though you may find you want to given the many other popular networks Sling TV offers.
And since the service comes with a free 7-day trial, you can watch a substantial amount of the Games gratis. With Sling TV, you’re also not tethered to our television. You can stream to most devices including Apple TV, Roku, Xbox One, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, iOS and Android devices, and Windows and Mac computers.
If that’s not enough incentive, consider these special offers: Sling TV is currently offering a free Roku 2, 50% off a Roku 3, or $60 off an Apple TV when you prepay for three months of service. This story provides a complete guide to every channel available on Sling TV, and this story is our full review of Sling TV.
PlayStation Vue is a possibility for some
PlayStation Vue is a more recent player in the streaming space, and it offers many of the same channels as Sling TV. The basic Access package costs $40 a month and includes NBC, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, NBCSN, and USA. If you want the Golf Channel as well, you’ll have to opt for the Core package for $45 per month.
So, to get complete Olympic coverage, you’d be paying about $10 more than for Sling TV. That may not sound like a lot, but consider that PS Vue also supports fewer devices; currently you can only stream to Playstation 3 and 4, Roku, and iOS and Android mobile devices.
If you’re already a Playstation Vue subscriber, you may have all you need to watch most Olympic events.
If you’re looking to invest in a streaming service for the Olympic Games, Sling TV is clearly the better deal. But if you’re already a PlayStation Vue subscriber, you likely already have everything you need to catch all the coverage. Here is our complete review of PlayStation Vue.
Let the games begin!
Cutting the cord no longer means you have to miss out on the world’s biggest sporting spectacle. Whether online or over the air, you can have front-row seat for your favorite summer games.
Michael Ansaldo is a veteran consumer and small-business technology journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive and writes the Max Productivity column for PCWorld.
You can watch the PyeongChang Olympics from almost anywhere; here’s how.
The Olympics are always riveting, but the stakes seem much higher for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
North Korea, of course, has been ramping up its ballistic missile program, prompting concern about an attack in South Korea and around the globe. Ahead of the games, however, North and South Korea reached a detente of sorts that will allow North Korean athletes to compete in PyeongChang.
There will be 19 days of competition, with events taking place all day long, and some starting even before the Feb. 9 opening ceremony. That’s thousands of hours of TV; depending on where you live, you could be up in the middle of the night glued to bobsledding, skiing, or skating.
Wherever you are, though, there are several options for watching online, for cord cutters and the cable TV faithful alike.
1. NBCOlympics.com
NBC is the official network of the games, so it will air everything on TV, of course. But for those moments when you’re out and about (or pretending to work), NBC will offer livestreams, replays, highlights, and the Leslie Jones enthusiasm we all need on NBCOlympics.com.
NBC paid more than $4 billion for the rights to the games through 2020, so it’s not giving this away for free. You’ll need a pay TV login or one of the services mentioned below to watch everything on the web; scan the livestream schedule ahead of time so you don’t miss a thing.
2. NBC Sports App
NBC’s official app will have every event, both live and on-demand, as well as highlights. Get it iOS, Android, and Windows devices; streaming-media players Roku, Chromecast, and Amazon Fire; the Xbox; and Samsung smart TVs. Again, you’ll need a pay TV login to watch.
3. NBC Sports VR
Intel partnered with NBC to provide some content in VR, which you can check out via NBC Sports VR app. You’ll feel like you’re in PyeongChang. Almost.
4. Sling TV
5. Hulu With Live TV
NBC is the official network of the games, so it will air everything on TV, of course. But for those moments when you’re out and about (or pretending to work), NBC will offer livestreams, replays, highlights, and the Leslie Jones enthusiasm we all need on NBCOlympics.com .
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