NBCU Aligns with IOC & USOC for Olympic Channel in the U.S.

NEW YORK: The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and NBCUniversal have partnered to launch a new U.S. network under the Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA brand.

The channel will launch in the second half of 2017, delivering year-round Olympic-sport programming from across the globe, with an emphasis on American athletes and teams. Along with the channel, the partnership brings additional coverage of Olympic sports programs that will appear exclusively on other NBCU platforms, including NBC, NBCSN and NBC Sports Digital outlets. The first of such coverage begins this Saturday with the Team USA Winter Champions Series.

“Through this exciting new partnership with the USOC and NBCUniversal, we will ensure that U.S. audiences are more closely connected with the Olympic Movement through a more personalized experience,” said Mark Parkman, the general manager of the Olympic Channel. “The evolution of the Olympic Channel in the United States is a significant milestone as we expand our distribution options across the globe in conjunction with our broadcast and National Olympic Committee partners. Placing a spotlight on Olympic sports outside of the Games themselves will ultimately bring them more deserved attention and help them grow.”

“The launch of the Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA partnership marks an exciting opportunity to promote and celebrate Olympic and Paralympic sport year-round,” said Scott Blackmun, USOC’s CEO. “Additionally, launching in conjunction with the inaugural Team USA Winter Champions Series broadcast is a great way to serve the fastest-growing fan base in American sports.”

“This is wonderful news for fans of Olympic athletes and Olympic sports, and we’re proud to partner with the IOC and USOC to bring the vision of the Olympic Channel to life in the United States,” said Gary Zenkel, the president of NBC Olympics. “The Olympic Channel partnership will provide multiple, year-round platforms to highlight the incredible achievements and inspiring stories of Olympic athletes and the Olympic values they represent, including a full-time home for Olympic sports when we launch the new linear channel in 2017.”