150 Million Americans Watched NBC’s Tokyo Olympics

Extending Dominance – NBC’s Tokyo Olympics Ranks #1 in Primetime for 135^th Consecutive Summer Olympics Night on Sunday

NBC Olympics’ Tokyo Primetime Coverage Averaged 15.5 Million Viewers – to Rank with Sunday Night Football as Top Two Primetime Shows of 2020-21

Most Streamed Olympics Ever – NEARLY 6 BILLION Streaming Minutes Consumed Across NBC Olympics Digital and Social Media Platforms, Highlighted by Peacock’s Best Two Weeks for Usage Ever

Record-Setting USA Network – Posts Best Primetime Summer Olympics Cable Viewership Ever; Ranks as #1 Sports and Entertainment Cable Network in Primetime throughout the Games

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 9, 2021 – The NBC broadcast of the Closing Ceremony last night concluded NBCUniversal’s presentation of the Tokyo Olympics — the largest media event in history, which delivered massive audiences throughout the day and across all platforms.

Among the highlights:

• • NBCUniversal presented a record 7,000+ hours of Summer Olympics coverage.
  • 150 million Americans watched NBC’s Tokyo Olympics presentation.
  • Last night’s Closing Ceremony coverage on NBC marked the 135^th consecutive Summer Olympics night that NBC Olympics coverage ranked #1 in primetime.
  • NBC Olympics primetime coverage ranks with NBC’s Sunday Night Football as the two most watched primetime shows of 2020-21.
  • With nearly 6 BILLION streaming minutes across digital and social media, the Tokyo Olympics is NBC Sports Digital’s most streamed Olympics ever.
  • More than 120 BILLION minutes of Tokyo Olympics content has been consumed across all NBCUniversal platforms (television, digital and social).
  • Peacock, featuring Olympics coverage for the first time, recorded its best two weeks of usage.
  • USA Network set multiple cable television records for a Summer Olympics.
  • Olympic coverage created major benefits for the NBCUniversal portfolio.

Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming: “Nothing brings NBCU together more than the Olympics, and no single property has a greater positive effect on our entire company. The power of the NBC flagship broadcast again led the way with the most-watched night of TV across all networks every night for 17 days, cable records on USA Network, extensive Spanish-language coverage by Telemundo Deportes, and unprecedented streaming consumption – including sharply increasing signups, usage and awareness of Peacock. We were dominant across every platform. Our Olympic presentation has also provided unmatched promotion for the rest of the company, including TODAY and Nightly News, local newscasts on owned stations and affiliates, and for our Parks, including Universal Orlando Resort – the home base of the tremendous friends and family watch party that we created with the USOPC.”

Pete Bevacqua, Chairman, NBC Sports: “There is nothing more powerful in media than the 17 straight days of Olympics dominance. Despite being thrown a series of curveballs over the last 18 months, the power of the Olympics delivered to audiences across the various platforms of NBCU has proven itself unequaled. The pandemic fundamentally altered virtually every aspect of these Games, but our team pivoted, and reimagined, in the midst of showcasing history-making performances across 41 sports. Once again, we have seen the unparalleled power that these Games have on media and our culture.” 

Molly Solomon, Executive Producer & President, NBC Olympics Production: “Our team has been equal to every challenge these extraordinary Games have presented, enabling us to chronicle the Tokyo Olympics in the most comprehensive way possible. Viewers on all of our platforms have been able to experience the benefits of thousands of production staff working on three continents to cover the most ambitious media event in history.” 

NBC OLYMPICS CONTINUES MEDIA DOMINANCE: With a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 15.5 million primetime viewers, according to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, NBC Olympics:

• • Has ranked #1 in primetime for 135 consecutive Summer Olympic nights
  • Ranked #1 on television in every hour and quarter hour of primetime for each of the 17 nights (based upon preliminary data for 8/7-8/8)
  • Regularly doubled and tripled the combined viewership of its competitors
  • Accounted for 11 of the 25 most-watched primetime shows in 2021

MOST-WATCHED PRIMETIME SERIES SINCE 2016 RIO OLYMPICS: In the five years since the 2016 Rio Olympics, only seven primetime TV programs (minimum 10 episodes/shows) have averaged 15 million TV viewers (not including streaming) – all on NBC. Following are those shows:

Source: Nielsen, Live + Same Day Data; (Official viewership for 8/7-8/8 will be available on Tuesday); *Viewership across multiple television networks

NBC SPORTS DIGITAL DELIVERS MOST-STREAMED OLYMPICS EVER: NBC Sports Digital live streamed every event of the Tokyo Olympics via NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app, and presented coverage for the first time on Peacock. Among the highlights:

• • Viewers streamed a record of more than 5.5 BILLION MINUTES across NBC Sports Digital and social media platforms. That figure includes more than 4.3 billion minutes of Tokyo Olympics content streamed across NBCOlympics.com, the NBC Sports app and Peacock – up 22% from 2016 Rio and up 95% from 2018 PyeongChang – and more than 1.2 billion minutes across NBC Sports social platforms.
  • NBC Sports Digital’s Tokyo Olympics coverage delivered its 10 most-streamed primetime presentations in Olympics history.
  • NBC Sports Digital’s Average Minute Audience of 477,000 viewers in primetime is the best ever for an Olympics.
  • Peacock registered its best two weeks of usage during the Summer Games. 

120+ BILLION MINUTES CONSUMED ACROSS NBCUNIVERSAL PLATFORMS: More than 120 billion minutes of Tokyo Olympics content has been consumed across NBCUniversal platforms – television, digital and social – the equivalent of all 330 million Americans watching more than six hours each.

RECORD-SETTING SUMMER GAMES FOR USA NETWORK: Highlighted by live coverage of track & field, men’s and women’s beach volleyball, indoor volleyball and softball, USA Network was the top destination for sports and entertainment programming on cable, and set numerous Summer Olympics records.

• • USA Network averaged 1.6 million primetime viewers for the Tokyo Olympics (7/24-8/6) – ranking as the #1 sports and entertainment cable network in primetime over the course of the Games.
  • Since the start of its primetime Olympic coverage (7/24), USA Network has delivered its best primetime viewership average over a two-week stretch since March 2018.
  • USA Network’s primetime viewership average is the best ever for any cable network during the Summer Olympics.
  • USA Network delivered cable’s three most-watched Summer Olympics nights ever.

GOLF CHANNEL MILESTONES: Live men’s and women’s Olympic golf hit multiple milestones for GOLF Channel.

• • Coverage of the down-to-the-wire final round of men’s golf on Saturday, July 31 delivered the best late night viewership in GOLF Channel history (878,000 viewers, Midnight-3:30 am ET), and ranked second among all networks in that time period (behind only NBC’s “Prime Plus” Olympics show).
  • Primetime coverage of the men’s golf competition averaged 565,000 viewers – marking GOLF Channel’s best four-day primetime stretch since December 2019 (President’s Cup).
  • Coverage of the women’s golf competition averaged 345,000 viewers – a 26% increase over the same event in Rio in 2016. The final round on Friday, August 6 (595,000 viewers) increased 39% from comparable Rio coverage.
  • Last Friday’s final round of the women’s competition was GOLF Channel’s most-watched women’s golf telecast since August 2017 (Solheim Cup final round).

“PRIME PLUS” UP FROM RIO: NBC Olympics’ “Prime Plus” late-night coverage averaged a Total Audience Delivery of 5.4 million viewers – up 4% from NBC’s late-night show at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

RATINGS & VIEWERSHIP SUCCESS FOR NBC NEWS & AFFILIATE NEWS PROGRAMMING: NBC’s national news programming as well as local owned-station and affiliate newscasts benefitted from Tokyo Olympics promotion and lead-in. TODAY and NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt were both onsite in Tokyo throughout the Olympics.

• • TODAY was the #1 ranked morning show for both weeks of the Tokyo Olympics, delivering its most-watched weeks since March, with a 25% advantage over the closest competition among adults 25-54.
  • NBC Nightly News registered its most-watched weeks since March, and its Sunday editions on July 25 and August 1 were the most-watched program (excluding sports) across all of television in their respective weeks. In addition, Nightly won the past two weeks among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

• • Late local newscasts (Mon-Fri) on NBC affiliates in the 44 overnight metered markets posted a collective 79% increase in household rating over the prior four weeks.

TELEMUNDO DEPORTES DELIVERS ACROSS MULTIPLE PLATFORMS: Telemundo Deportes coverage of the Tokyo Olympics has reached approximately 10 million viewers (through last Wednesday). In that same time period, the Tokyo Olympics generated 13.3 million minutes streamed across Telemundo Deportes digital platforms, up 20% from Rio 2016.

“TONIGHT SHOW” BOOST FOLLOWING OPENING CEREMONY: “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” following the Opening Ceremony delivered its highest rating in the adult 18-49 demo since Sept. 2020.

NBC OLYMPICS’ MEDIA PARTNERS REACHED MILLIONS

• • 2.9 billion impressions on NBC Olympics’ Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts
  • 338.7 million public engagements on NBC Olympics’ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Snap accounts
  • Since the Opening Ceremony, the Twitch community has watched more than 136.6 million minutes of Olympics content, with more than 14 million unique viewers tuning in for the exclusive, interactive content
  • Reached 1.5 million NBC Olympics TikTok followers, added 1.2 million during the Games alone
  • NBC Olympics’ largest podcast offering ever delivered 426,000 downloads across the slate of daily podcasts. In addition, the podcasts were featured on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Spotify, and The Podium was Apple Podcasts’ “Pick of the Week.”

ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS

A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic & Paralympic Games. NBC Olympics is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032. NBC Olympics also produces thousands of hours of Olympic & Paralympic sports programming throughout the year, which is presented on NBC, NBCSN, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms.

–NBC OLYMPICS–

 “It’s been just such a wonderful experience to watch the world come together against all odds and celebrate peace and harmony and sport.” – Johnny Weir on the Tokyo Olympics

“A Games that began surrounded by uncertainty and doubt, but gave way – just as so many more conventional Olympics have before – to a parade of performances and moments that won’t soon be forgotten.” – Mike Tirico

“These Olympic Games are definitely a different edition. But at the end of the day…I think that it added this extra layer of emotion – a sense of gratitude and relief.” – Tara Lipinski

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 8, 2021 – NBC Olympics concluded its primetime coverage of the Tokyo Olympics tonight on NBC with the Closing Ceremony, hosted by Terry Gannon, Tara Lipinski, and Johnny Weir from Tokyo Olympic Stadium. Lewis Johnson served as reporter.

Mike Tirico opened tonight’s primetime coverage on NBC with Tokyo Gold, looking back at the Games’ most memorable performances, including Steve Kornacki with some of the Games’ most unique stories.

Following are highlights from tonight’s primetime coverage of the Tokyo Olympics Closing Ceremony on NBC:

CLOSING CEREMONY – NBC

Johnny Weir on the Closing Ceremony: “The Closing Ceremony is a time for the athletes and their friends and family watching from all over the world to exhale, to enjoy the moment that this Olympics has created for them. They’ve worked their entire lives, now’s the time to be happy about it…In a world that needs some good news, Japan and the athletes at this Olympic Games have provided so many fairytales.”

Tara Lipinski on the Tokyo Olympics and Closing Ceremony: “These Olympic Games are definitely a different edition. The way that you participate, the way that the athletes competed, it’s different. But, at the end of the day, we made it through an Olympics, and I think that it added this extra layer of emotion – a sense of gratitude and relief. It wasn’t easy, but these athletes got through it, and now it’s time to celebrate… These athletes have given it their all these last few weeks, and it’s been so joyous to watch them soak in their Olympic experience”

Mike Tirico on the Tokyo Olympics: “The last 17 days were an extraordinary illustration of what the world has done best the last 17 months – find a way.”

Weir on the Tokyo Olympics: “It’s been just such a wonderful experience to watch the world come together against all odds and celebrate peace and harmony and sport. One of the most encouraging things that I noticed from these Games was, despite the fact that friends and family weren’t allowed to come and participate in these Games and watch and cheer their kids on, the fact that the athletes stood up and the camaraderie between them was so impressive. They became the friends and family for each other.”

Lipinski: “The friendships you make in an Olympic Games are so special, and they last a lifetime. I mean you have this shared experience together, but especially this year. It’s an alumni that will forever make you proud…You’re an Olympian forever.”

Terry Gannon on the Closing Ceremony performances: “The culture, the music, the streets of Tokyo, brought to the field at Olympic Stadium with the best athletes in the world watching from the front row.”

Lipinski on experiencing the Closing Ceremony as an athlete: “There are so many emotions running through your mind, through your body. You’re so happy…You feel so much, but you also feel a little sadness. It’s a little bittersweet because you had the time of your life and it’s coming to a close.”

Weir: “This Olympic Games was one of inclusivity, of bravery, of pride, of happiness, and you can see all of that displayed from the athletes. To stand down there in the midst of all this craziness, whether it’s an Opening or Closing Ceremony, you feel like such a small part of the world…Even for us now sitting in this arena, it is absolutely gargantuan but the world is trained and focused on you and celebrating those accomplishments.”

Weir on host nation Japan: “(Japan) opened their doors to the world and they allowed these athletes their shining moment in the sun while the world watched…I’m just overcome with goosebumps and gratitude for our host country for allowing our athletes to chase their dreams, to live out all of the things that they set out to do…Japan has been a gracious and brave host.”

U.S. Olympic flag bearer Kara Winger to Gannon on walking into Tokyo Stadium: “I can’t even describe it. I have been in tears for days, but this is just joy.”

Two-time Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Athing Mu to Lewis Johnson on her performance: “Honestly, I feel like I really haven’t absorbed it yet. It’s going to take some time, but I’m just happy with my performance. I knew it was possible, especially this year having such a great year and growing personally and athletically. So I mean it’s a surprise, but it’s not a surprise at the same time.”

TOKYO GOLD – NBC

Mike Tirico on the Tokyo Olympics: “A Games that began surrounded by uncertainty and doubt, but gave way – just as so many more conventional Olympics have before – to a parade of performances and moments that won’t soon be forgotten. New stars emerging, familiar ones reaffirming their greatness.”

Maria Taylor on Simone Biles and the U.S. gymnastics team: “It’s the moments of adversity that make us all sit back in awe and admiration…It was kind of like the strength of every single one of them allowed them to continue to compete, and then we saw the individual outputs of it…It was the very team-centric gymnastics experience.”

Allyson Felix to Tirico on how winning bronze in the women’s 400m final compares to her other medals: “The most joy I think I’ve ever felt. It’s my first bronze medal ever, and it’s just so different – my motivation behind it and everything. So, I think it’s probably even more joy than some golds. ”

Felix on being a part of the U.S. women’s 4x400m relay team that won gold, alongside Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad and Athing Mu: “It was really special. None of us consider ourselves 400m specialists, and it was just really unique to come together. You don’t always get to be on a team like that, and I think we all kind of felt that…Just to run with them, they’re so talented. They had such really humbling things to say just for me to hear about how I inspired them.”

Steve Kornacki on Team USA: “The headline is the streak is still alive for the United States. They came here to Tokyo – six straight Summer Olympics that the U.S. had finished with the most medals in the world, you can now make it seven.”

Kornacki on skateboarding’s Olympic debut: “The average age of a medalist in women’s skateboarding at these Olympics was 14.3 years old…I know I’m a little bit older than that, but looking at that number made me feel very old.”

***

ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS

A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic Games. NBC Olympics is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032. NBC Olympics also produces thousands of hours of Olympic sports programming throughout the year, which is presented on NBC, NBCSN, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms.

— NBC OLYMPICS —

NBC Olympics’ #1 Streak Continues: NBC Summer Olympics Tops in Primetime for 134 Consecutive Nights

Primetime Coverage of Tokyo Olympics Closing Ceremony Tonight at 8 p.m. ET on NBC

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 8, 2021 – NBC’s Tokyo Olympics coverage continued its dominance of primetime TV through Saturday’s final night of competition, which featured the U.S. women’s basketball team winning its seventh consecutive gold medal and the U.S. women’s volleyball team capturing gold for the first time.

NBC’s Tokyo Olympics competition coverage delivered 11 of primetime TV’s 25 most watched shows in 2021 (chart below).

In addition, the Tokyo Olympics has extended the event’s streak as the most dominant in media, easily winning primetime for 134 consecutive Summer Olympics nights.

NBC concludes its Tokyo Olympics coverage tonight at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with the Closing Ceremony, hosted by Terry Gannon, Tara Lipinski, and Johnny Weir from Tokyo Olympic Stadium. Lewis Johnson serves as reporter.

Mike Tirico opens tonight’s primetime coverage on NBC at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with Tokyo Gold, a look back at the Games’ most memorable performances, including Steve Kornacki with some of the Games’ most unique stories.

MOST-WATCHED PRIMETIME SHOWS IN 2021, TV ONLY

Source: Nielsen, Live + Same Day Data; Excludes Pre- and Post-Shows (Official viewership for 8/6 will be available on Monday) 

*Viewership across multiple television networks

ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS

A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic & Paralympic Games. NBC Olympics is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032. NBC Olympics also produces thousands of hours of Olympic & Paralympic sports programming throughout the year, which is presented on NBC, NBCSN, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms.

–NBC OLYMPICS–

 “Take a good look at your screen, because you are unlikely to see somebody like this again in your lifetime.” – Ato Boldon on Allyson Felix, who won her U.S. Olympic record 11^th track & field medal

“The word ‘legend’ is used pretty loosely – it is so appropriate with Allyson Felix.” – Leigh Diffey on Allyson Felix

“From Atlanta to Sydney to Athens to Beijing to London and Rio, and now Tokyo – the gold standard in women’s basketball belongs to the United States of America.” – Bob Fitzgerald on Team USA women’s basketball team winning gold for the seventh consecutive Olympics

 “I think it’s one of the greatest sports dynasties in world history.” – Kara Lawson on Team USA women’s basketball

Upcoming Highlights: Live NOW on USA Network, the U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team Faces Brazil in Gold Medal Match; NBC Olympics’ Primetime Presentation of the Closing Ceremony for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad  Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 8, 2021 – NBC Olympics continued its primetime coverage of the Tokyo Olympics tonight on NBC. Mike Tirico serves as NBC Olympics primetime host and opened tonight’s coverage on NBC.

Highlights of upcoming coverage include:

• • Live NOW on USA Network, the U.S. women’s volleyball team seeks its first gold medal as they face Brazil in the final (NBC will also present live coverage beginning at 1:30 a.m. ET/10:30 p.m. PT);
  • NBC Olympics’ commentators Terry Gannon, Tara Lipinski, and Johnny Weir will host primetime coverage of the Closing Ceremony for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad from Tokyo Olympic Stadium Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC. Lewis Johnson will serve as a reporter for the Closing Ceremony; Live coverage of the Closing Ceremony will be available Sunday at 7 a.m. ET/4 a.m. PT on the NBC Sports app and NBCOlympics.com.

Following are highlights from tonight’s primetime coverage of the Tokyo Olympics on the networks of NBCUniversal:

WOMMEN’S BASKETBALL – NBC

Bob Fitzgerald on Team USA winning gold for the seventh consecutive Olympics: “From Atlanta to Sydney to Athens to Beijing to London and Rio, and now Tokyo – the gold standard in women’s basketball belongs to the United States of America.”

Kara Lawson on Team USA’s win over Japan: “The pressure to win on this team is as intense as it gets because the expectation is not only that you win, but that you win in this dominant fashion. And so, for them to be able to do that every single time is remarkable.”

Fitzgerald to Lawson on Team USA’s recent dominance in women’s basketball: “For the United States women, you want to talk about decades of dominance…You say it’s the toughest team to make in all of sports. They feel the pressure, but they also embrace the excellence, and I don’t think anyone wants this streak ever to end.”

Lawson: “You look at the dominance on display, and you’re in the middle of what is an incredible run by the U.S. women. This is the best bang for your buck in terms of dominance, in terms of a dynasty, and in terms of excellence – it’s the U.S. women’s basketball team…They continue to blow me away. I think it’s one of the greatest sports dynasties in world history.”

Kara Lawson on Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird: “This group, it’s very often we’re reflective and we look back after an event and say, ‘Oh, that was history.’ We can tell you before this event, you’re going to see history either way, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, mainstays on this U.S. roster – they’re about excellence, they’re about winning.”

Sue Bird to Corey Robinson on winning five gold medals: “Not just this group – of course this group right now, but really all the teammates that we had throughout the years. Even the ’96 team – even though we didn’t play with them, same with the 2000 team – when you’re a part of USA Basketball, you’re all a family, you’re all teammates. I think this one, it’s seven in a row. It’s not just about us, it’s about all the players that have either set the stage or those that are on it right now.”

Diana Taurasi to Robinson: “See you in Paris!”

***

TRACK & FIELD – NBC

Ato Boldon on Allyson Felix after Team USA wins gold in women’s 4x400m relay: “Take a good look at your screen, because you are unlikely to see somebody like this again in your lifetime. Allyson Felix was a prodigy who was great in high school, skipped college to turn pro, and has been producing year after year. If this is her final Olympics, and she has said that it is, then that’s the way you want to go out – with the gold.”

Sanya Richards-Ross on Team USA after their women’s 4x400m win: “The 4×400 is in great hands with Athing Mu and Sydney McLaughlin…Team USA was dominant in this run.”

Leigh Diffey on Felix: “The word ‘legend’ is used pretty loosely – it is so appropriate with Allyson Felix. What a career and what an inspiration.”

Boldon on Felix: “Allyson Felix has earned the right to end her Olympic career in this way. She’s teaming with three women who have run extremely well at these Games, including two American prodigies just like she used to be.”

Diffey on Team USA winning gold in the men’s 4x400m relay: “As the old adage says, save the best for last. The U.S. men do not have a gold medal on track in these Tokyo 2020 Games – they do now!”

Richards-Ross on the Team USA’s men 4x100m relay: “Redemption for Team USA! They leave Tokyo with a big win here tonight.”

Diffey on Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge pulling away in the men’s marathon to win gold: “What’s happening is a marathon masterclass…He was with the pack for the majority of this race and then said, ‘Guys, see you later. I’m checking out. I’m en route to another gold medal.’”

Kara Goucher on Kipchoge winning back-to-back men’s marathon gold medals: “A lot of us already felt he was (the best ever), but this cements it. He is just a champion for people. He says running is about inspiring others and encouraging people to believe that nothing is impossible…and that humans are not limited. He just proves it every time he goes out there and performs like this and inspires us.”

***

DIVING – NBC

Ted Robinson on China’s Cao Yuan and Yang Jian winning gold and silver in the men’s 10m platform: “Just another chapter in China’s unceasing diving dynasty.”

Cynthia Potter on Great Britain’s Tom Daley winning bronze in the men’s 10m platform: “He stepped it up. It’s the right time, and Tom Daley has all kinds of experience…He’s not only a competitor, he’s a performer.”

HANDBALL – NBC

Mike Tirico on handball: “Do you know this sport? This sport is so cool. I love watching this. Look, America, this is one of five sports in the Summer Games that the U.S. has never won an Olympic medal…this is like gym class, athletes, basketball players…America can get good at this sport. Atlanta in 1996 was the last time the U.S. competed in team handball at the Olympics on the men’s side. It’s likely in the Games when the U.S. hosts in 2028. There’s got to be a way America can get good at that sport, right?”

ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS

A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic Games. NBC Olympics is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032. NBC Olympics also produces thousands of hours of Olympic sports programming throughout the year, which is presented on NBC, NBCSN, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms.

— NBC OLYMPICS —

“Doubted and dismissed, Team USA will not be denied!” – Bob Fitzgerald on U.S. Men’s Basketball winning their fourth consecutive gold medal

“When so many people counted her out, she gets another medal…She has a lot of medals, but I’m sure this one will be the sweetest.” – Sanya Richards-Ross on Allyson Felix winning bronze in the women’s 400m final

 “Cue the champagne in Wisconsin! I can’t even explain how incredible this performance is…This will inspire the next generation of runners.” – Kara Goucher on American Molly Seidel winning bronze in the women’s marathon

Saturday Highlights: U.S. Women’s Basketball Team Goes for Gold in Final vs. Japan Live in Primetime Tomorrow at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBC; Final Day of Track & Field Competition Features Women’s and Men’s 4x400m Relay, Including Allyson Felix, Sydney McLaughlin, and More, Live at 6:35 a.m. ET on Peacock

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 7, 2021 – NBC Olympics continued its primetime coverage of the Tokyo Olympics tonight on NBC. Mike Tirico serves as NBC Olympics primetime host and opened tonight’s coverage on NBC.

Tirico closed out tonight’s primetime broadcast with a salute to Peter Diamond, NBC Olympics executive vice president of programming, who has worked more Olympic Games than any broadcast network executive in television history and will be retiring after the Tokyo Olympics.

Highlights of upcoming coverage include:

• • In pursuit of a seventh consecutive gold medal, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and the U.S. women’s basketball team play Japan in the final live in primetime Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBC;
  • The last day of track & field competition will feature a number of medals being awarded in final events Saturday morning live at 6:35 a.m. ET on Peacock. Among those in consideration for Team USA in the women’s and men’s 4x400m relay include Allyson Felix, Tokyo gold medalists Sydney McLaughlin, Athing Mu, Tokyo silver medalist Dalilah Muhammad, Michael Norman and Michael Cherry. Coverage of the final day of track & field competition will air in primetime Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC;
  • Team USA, featuring former MLB players Todd Frazier and Edwin Jackson, plays Japan in the baseball final with a gold medal on the line live Saturday morning at 6 a.m. ET on NBCSN. The U.S. is looking to win its second gold medal in baseball after winning gold at the 2000 Sydney Games.;
  • The women’s volleyball final between the U.S. and Brazil will be presented live at 12:30 a.m. ET/9:30 p.m. PT Saturday on USA Network as the U.S. seeks it first women’s volleyball gold medal.

Following are highlights from tonight’s primetime coverage of the Tokyo Olympics on the networks of NBCUniversal:

MEN’S BASKETBALL – NBC

Bob Fitzgerald on Team USA winning the gold medal: “Doubted and dismissed, Team USA will not be denied!”

Vince Carter: “You could tell in warmups that Team USA wanted this game, wanted this opportunity again because of all the variables that were thrown in their way in the beginning. They were able to step up and get the job done.”

Fitzgerald: “You could just tell, for these NBA players, how important it was to come together as a group, to come here for their country.”

Fitzgerald on Kevin Durant and Team USA: “I think when Kevin Durant said, ‘I’m playing in Tokyo,’ other guys said, ‘I want to play with.’ It was a huge decision by Kevin. I don’t think people really realize that for the coaches, the players, there’s no compensation. It’s the pride of the United States and to represent your country. Kevin Durant has done it beautifully every time he has worn that Team USA jersey.”

Durant to Maria Taylor following the win: “We went through some real adversity. We lost a game in the tournament, we lost two exhibition games, we had some unusual circumstances with COVID, guys playing in the Finals and coming in late, and we just fought through everything…everybody sacrificed from Day 1, put the team first, and we were able to get the gold.”

Jayson Tatum to Taylor on how it feels to win a gold medal for Team USA: “It’s an incredible feeling, something you always dream about. I can remember in high school watching these guys win a gold medal, and to play alongside of them and win one in a climate like this with everything we went through and not being able to bring our family – I know Deuce is watching – so this is an amazing feeling.”

Carter on Draymond Green’s impact on Team USA: “You look up on that scoreboard, you see zero points from Draymond, five assists, two rebounds – but the deflections, his voice. He’s doing the intangibles, doing the little things to help your team win, which we all know he’s done that for many, many years…But what he’s done for this team that will not be talked about, it’s always amazing.”

***

TRACK & FIELD – NBC

Sanya Richards-Ross on Allyson Felix winning bronze in the women’s 400m final, her 10^th Olympic medal: “What a night for Allyson. She was so tough to be able to hang on, when so many people counted her out, she gets another medal. You can never count this woman out in a final…She only ran under 50 seconds one time this year, and she found her best race in the final…She has a lot of medals, but I’m sure this one will be the sweetest.”

Ato Boldon: “Look at Allyson Felix. Yes, she’s under duress, and yes, she’s fighting for that bronze, but her form does not falter. And as long as you keep your form, you are expecting that someone else is going to blink first. The reason that she has this 10^th Olympic medal is because she resisted the urge to fall apart while everyone else was.”

Felix to Lewis Johnson on the message she hopes to send to her daughter Cammy with her bronze medal performance: “No matter what it feels like is stacked against you, you go out with character, integrity, you give it your all and that’s all anybody else can as of you…years down the way, I hope she understands that.”

Kara Goucher on Molly Seidel winning bronze in the women’s marathon: “Cue the champagne in Wisconsin! … I can’t even explain how incredible this performance is. This is one of the best fields ever assembled, these are some of the toughest conditions they have ever faced in a marathon, let alone an Olympic Games…This will inspire the next generation of runners.”

Leigh Diffey: “I tell my kids every night: sleep well and dream big. Dare to dream, be a dreamer, think as big as you want, kids, if you’re watching this broadcast, because that’s what Molly Seidel did…She dreamt big, and she has won big.”

Goucher: “She put herself in it from the beginning. She was always cautious to hit the shade, but she wasn’t afraid to run from the front…When she sees the shade, she moves to that side of the road. She’s running and using tricks that veterans of the marathon know, and this is only her third marathon.”

Seidel to Steve Porino on winning bronze: “I can’t believe it. Just getting here was already a dream come true, and to be able to come today against a field like this and to be able to come away with a medal, with a bronze for the U.S., I’m in shock. I’m in disbelief right now. I’ve worked so hard for this…I’m so grateful for everyone who got me here and I’m so happy.”

Seidel to her family on the phone after the race: “We did it! I’m so tired. Please drink a beer for me.”

Tirico: “That’s the greatest soundbite of the Olympics. That’s awesome.”

Diffey on Team USA’s Paul Chelimo winning bronze in the men’s 5000m final: “What a finish from the American! That was guts and determination to the max!”

Goucher: “That was all heart in those final 20 meters. His body was shutting down and he could see the medal was about to slip away, and he did everything he could to get his body across the line. He even leaned like a sprinter to clinch third place.”

Boldon on Jamaica winning the women’s 4x100m relay: “Jamaica just gave their country one heck of an Independence Day present – their first 4×100 Olympic win since 2004…this team has not been able to practice at all because they were busy running their individual events. They practiced for the first time today and somehow managed to get the baton around.”

Boldon on Team USA winning silver: “They substituted in Jenna Prandini and Gabby Thomas and it paid off. They get a season’s best and an Olympic silver medal.”

Richards-Ross on Team USA advancing to the final in the men’s 4x400m relay: “Sometimes Team USA makes it look so hard…they have so much depth in this event, it should be easy for them to navigate and they did really well tonight, setting themselves up for a great performance in the final.”

Boldon on Italy winning gold the men’s 4x100m relay: “This may be a bigger shock than the 100m. Italy has no Olympic medals in recent history, but they have the gold now…What a Games this has been for Italy…This is why they run the race…Not only do they have the fastest man in the world in the 100m, they now have the 4×100 gold medal at the Olympic Games.”

Tirico on Carl Lewis’ comments on Team USA failing to qualify for men’s 4x100m relay final: “Carl Lewis did not hold back…strong words from one of the best of all time. Maybe Carl can come coach the U.S. team the next time around.”

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ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS

A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic Games. NBC Olympics is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032. NBC Olympics also produces thousands of hours of Olympic sports programming throughout the year, which is presented on NBC, NBCSN, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms.

— NBC OLYMPICS —

“The A-Team with an A+ performance…The United States back on top of the beach volleyball world. It took an extra year, but it was worth the wait.” – Chris Marlowe on Team USA’s April Ross and Alix Klineman winning gold in the women’s beach volleyball final

“After being inspired by watching the London Olympics…he will now be the inspiration for many young people to follow in his footsteps.” – Sanya Richards-Ross on Bahamas’ Steven Gardiner winning gold in the men’s 400m final

 “That may be the most dominant performance by an individual we see these entire Games.” – Mike Tirico on China’s Quan Hongchan winning gold and setting an Olympic record in the women’s platform final

Upcoming Highlights: NEXT, U.S. Women’s Basketball vs. Serbia in Semifinals Live at 12:40 a.m. ET/9:40 p.m. ET on Peacock

Friday Highlights: U.S. Men’s Basketball Team Goes For Gold in Final vs. France Live in Primetime at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBC & Peacock; Allyson Felix Headlines American Medal Contenders in Track & Field Action in the 400m Final Live Friday Morning at 7:25 a.m. ET on Peacock

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 5, 2021 – NBC Olympics continued its primetime coverage of the Tokyo Olympics tonight on NBC. Mike Tirico serves as NBC Olympics primetime host and opened coverage on NBC.

Highlights of upcoming coverage include:

• • Coming up next, the U.S. women’s basketball team, aiming for its seventh consecutive gold medal, face Serbia in the semifinals live at 12:40 a.m. ET/9:40 p.m. PT Thursday on NBC, with the winner advancing to the gold medal game;
  • The U.S. men’s basketball team aims to win its fourth consecutive gold medal in the final against France live in primetime Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock;
  • Nine-time Olympic medalist and six-time Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix headlines American medal contenders in track & field action in the 400m final live Friday morning at 7:25 a.m. ET on Peacock. Felix aims for her 10th track & field Olympic medal, which would tie Carl Lewis for the most all-time;
  • Both the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay finals will also be presented live Friday on Peacock, and among those expected to compete for Team USA in the women’s 4x100m relay final are Felix and Tokyo 200m bronze medalist Gabby Thomas. Coverage of track & field final action will be presented Friday night in primetime at 8 p.m. ET on NBC;
  • The final round of the women’s golf competition will be presented live Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel from Kasumigaseki Country Club.

Following are highlights from tonight’s primetime coverage of the Tokyo Olympics on the networks of NBCUniversal:

TRACK & FIELD – NBC

Ato Boldon on Bahamas’ Steven Gardiner winning gold in the men’s 400m final: “I kept saying Gardiner had been finishing so well it was hard to pick against him. He tracked Michael Norman through the first 300m. Nobody has had an answer to Gardiner’s last 100m for a while now. This is how he won the world title, and this is how he got his very first Olympic gold.”

Sanya Richards-Ross on Gardiner, who picked up track & field at age 16: “After being inspired by watching the London Olympics, he said he was ready and wanted to put on a show for his country and the world. Boy, did he do just that. He will now be the inspiration for many young people to follow in his footsteps.”

Kara Goucher on Team USA’s Cole Hocker qualifying for the men’s 1500m final: “He showed a lot of maturity. He sat in the back, he didn’t panic and he knew – at 300m to go, you saw him move out and he used his kick. This is quite impressive…He’s not afraid to toe the line with anyone.”

Trey Hardee on Canada’s Damian Warner winning gold and setting an Olympic record in the men’s decathlon: “When Jim Thorpe won the very first Olympic decathlon, the King of Sweden said, ‘You sir, are the world’s greatest athlete.’ Well now, Damian Warner is the world’s greatest athlete.”

Hardee on Team USA’s Katie Nageotte winning the gold medal in the women’s pole vault: “The pole vault is something akin to big wave surfing. You don’t get towed out to the big waves unless you’re 100% committed. The same goes here. Unless you’re 100% committed, you can’t extend on the runway and do what these women do…As the night went on and the bars went up, Katie started to look more confident…It didn’t matter where the bar went, she was going to clear it.

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BEACH VOLLEYBALL – NBC

Chris Marlowe on April Ross and Alix Klineman winning the gold medal: “It’s celebration time out in SoCal. The A-Team with an A+ performance…The United States back on top of the beach volleyball world. It took an extra year, but it was worth the wait.”

Kevin Wong: “You think about the journey, you think about the hardships, you think about the uncertainties. Really it was a team that kept working, kept the faith, kept the trust, that prevailed here today.”

Wong on April Ross heading into the final: “She’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer. She’s got nearly everything; she’s done nearly everything in her career. But does a second silver satisfy that itch or does she need that last gold? I think she’s under the biggest pressure of any of the players on the court today. ”

Wong on Ross: “Early in her career, she did it with the power game. Big swings, big serves. The evolution – now the vision, the touch, the fineness, and the leadership.”

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DIVING – NBC

Ted Robinson on China’s Quan Hongchan winning gold and setting an Olympic record in the women’s platform final: “Remember this. You may never see anything like it again….Athletic brilliance at 14. Two dives that were perfect and one that was a half point short of perfect…who ever achieves perfection? … Without doubt, a once in a lifetime performance.”

Tirico: “That was sick. That may be the most dominant performance by an individual we see these entire Games.”

Cynthia Potter on Quan: “She’s unflappable…the jump is amazing. She doesn’t hold back. Her basics, her form, everything she does is so close to perfection at times, it’s mind boggling.”

Robinson: “We have been astounded during these Games – we’ve felt like there have been a real lack of high scores from the judges. This 14-year-old has broken the code. She is forcing the judges to deliver scores.”

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SKATEBOARDING – NBC

Paul Zitzer on the men’s park final: “Everyone watching this event has to appreciate how great skateboarding is and how great of a display we’ve seen of it here today in the final.”

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ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS

A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic Games. NBC Olympics is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032. NBC Olympics also produces thousands of hours of Olympic sports programming throughout the year, which is presented on NBC, NBCSN, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms.

— NBC OLYMPICS —