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NBC OLYMPICS, CLASSDOJO, AND CLASSROOM CHAMPIONS LAUNCH LEARNING SERIES – HEART OF A CHAMPION – FOR CHILDREN FEATURING TOKYO OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC ATHLETES

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Allyson Felix, Chuck Aoki, April Ross, Christian Taylor, and More Share Life Lessons with Millions of Children on ClassDojo 

Content Available for Free at ClassDojo.com/heart

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 12, 2021 – NBC Olympics, ClassDojo, and Classroom Champions have partnered to connect children with Olympic and Paralympic athletes in a new exclusive learning series, “Heart of a Champion”. In this unique series, children hear stories from elite U.S. athletes about building important life skills such as perseverance, courage, and goal setting. Children can follow the athletes on their journey to make the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams for the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

Each athlete will share their experience with one important social or emotional trait. An especially notable athlete in the 10-part series is Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field Olympian of all time. Winning her first international title at the age of 15, she has now gone on to hold more world championship and Olympic titles than any other female track athlete. Her episode on courage relates her journey on the track to the courage students use in the everyday classroom setting.

The following athletes and topics are featured in the series:

    • Allyson Felix (Track & Field) – Courage
    • Christian Taylor (Track & Field) – Goal Setting
    • Chuck Aoki (Wheelchair Rugby) – Perseverance
    • Emily Regan (Rowing) – Teamwork
    • Lex Gillette (Track & Field) – Feedback
    • Sophia Herzog (Swimming) – Diversity
    • David Boudia (Diving) – Focus
    • April Ross (Beach Volleyball) – Community

 

“Heart of a Champion” will be available to the public for free at ClassDojo.com/heart and distributed for free to all classrooms on ClassDojo. Children deserve access to the world’s best learning experiences and role models. This series ends a difficult school year with an inspirational series encouraging students to strive for greatness amidst challenges.

“For decades NBC has been bringing the extraordinary stories of Olympic athletes to life,” said Jenny Storms, Chief Marketing Officer, Entertainment and Sports, NBCUniversal. “Through our partnership with ClassDojo and Classroom Champions, we are excited to connect these athletes with millions of students and to share their inspirational journeys in order to help kids succeed in sports, in the classroom, and in life.”

Sam Chaudhary, CEO of ClassDojo: “Sonia Sotomayor said that ‘a role model in the flesh provides more than inspiration…his or her very existence is confirmation of possibilities one may have every reason to doubt, saying, ‘Yes, someone like me can do this.’’ We couldn’t be more excited to give children everywhere the chance to hear stories from inspiring role models like Allyson Felix, and other extraordinary Olympic and Paralympic athletes on the road to Tokyo.”

“Olympians and Paralympians are the most inspirational athletes our country has to offer to help kids see their potential. As these athletes put their long-standing dreams on hold through the first Olympic and Paralympic postponement in history, there’s no one better equipped to teach kids about perseverance,” said Steve Mesler, Olympic Gold Medalist and Chief Executive Officer of Classroom Champions. “Our partnership with NBC Olympics and ClassDojo is an exciting step in getting the right people in front of millions more kids struggling to find role models in today’s world.”

“One of the most courageous acts one can do is be themselves, but it is also one of the most challenging life skills to learn or teach,” said Allyson Felix, 6-time Olympic Gold Medalist. “When the Tokyo Games were postponed, it tested these lessons once more. It took courage, perseverance, teamwork and my community as an athlete and as a mom, to keep my competition mindset for an additional year. It’s because of these skills, that I’m once again ready to compete at the highest level.”

The Games of the XXXII Olympiad will take place July 23-August 8 in Tokyo, Japan. NBCUniversal will present more than 7,000 hours of coverage for U.S. viewers. The Tokyo Paralympics take place August 24-September 5, with NBCU providing unprecedented coverage. 

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.

About ClassDojo

ClassDojo is a leading education company, with a vision to give every child on Earth an education they love. Its flagship app is the #1 communication app for K-8 teachers, children and families globally. They use it to stay connected, sharing through the school day with photos, videos, messages, and activities. Families rely on ClassDojo Beyond School to help children get learning experiences they love, beyond those their school can offer. Today, ClassDojo is used by 95% of pre-K-8 schools in the US, and serves over 51 million students in 180 countries. To learn more, visit: classdojo.com or Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or read about our@samchaudhary/https-medium-com-samchaudhary-how-to-change-education-from-the-ground-up-f82b8f3e4b95__;!!PIZeeW5wscynRQ!_CoLWtDshjGepzq_9Tn1TOipTZPHG6Qy04nB5qZotAC3N_3ulkC-4BpSMnffcJgdyD0%24"> thesis here.

About Classroom Champions

Classroom Champions is a non-profit dedicated to connecting students with world-class athlete mentors. Classroom Champions supports students’ social and emotional learning (SEL) and academic achievement, and provides curriculum and mentorship programs to districts, schools, and teachers to encourage children to achieve successful futures. Over the past 10 years, Classroom Champions and its more than 200 Olympians, Paralympians, NCAA student-athletes, and professional sport athlete mentors have taught SEL skills to more than 1 million students across 35 countries. Classroom Champions has provided more than $10,000,000 in scholarships to Title I, rural, and Indigenous communities. Students participating in Classroom Champions see significant improvements in the classroom, teachers see improved engagement, and athlete mentors learn new skills to prepare for life after sport. To learn from more athletes visit www.classroomchampions.org.

NBC OLYMPICS CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

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Women to Take Center Stage at Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics This Summer

Simone Biles, U.S. Women’s Basketball and Soccer Teams Aim to Extend Olympic Dominance

NBC Olympics Team Includes Senior Female Executives across All Facets of Massive Operation — Production, Operations, Marketing, Human Resources, Finance and More

Molly Solomon, Veteran of 10 NBC Olympics Presentations, is NBC Olympics’ Executive Producer; Jenny Storms, CMO for Entertainment and Sports, Oversees Consumer Engagement for Tokyo Olympics; Marsha Bird, SVP of NBC Olympic Operations, Heads Broadcast Operations, Logistics and Event Management

Mary Carillo, Andrea Joyce, Nastia Liukin, Rebecca Lowe, Sanya Richards-Ross, Michele Tafoya & Kathryn Tappen Highlight On-Air Team for Tokyo Olympics

STAMFORD, Conn.– March 8, 2021 – On International Women’s Day, we look ahead to this summer at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, where the women of Team USA and NBC Olympics will again lead the way at the world’s biggest athletic event.

Over the past four Games (since London 2012), women have won more Olympic medals (144) than men (129) for Team USA. In addition, women routinely account for more than 50% of NBCUniversal’s Olympic total viewing audience.

Among U.S. women in this summer’s Olympics, gymnast Simone Biles competes to extend her record as the most dominant gymnast ever, the U.S. women’s basketball team aims for an unprecedented seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal, and the U.S. women’s soccer squad plays for its fourth gold medal in the last five Olympics. Swimmer Jessica Long (23 medals) and track & field athlete Tatyana McFadden (17 medals), two of the most dominant Paralympians of all time, also look to continue successful streaks in Tokyo.

With so many women in the storylines, NBC Olympics and Paralympics massive operation features more women behind-the-scenes in executive and leadership production positions, as well as in on-camera announce roles, than for any prior NBCUniversal presentation of the Summer Games.

Leading NBCUniversal’s coverage as Executive Producer & President, NBC Olympics Production, is Molly Solomon, who previously worked in various production roles on 10 Olympics for NBC Sports. Most recently, she oversaw the production of golf’s return to the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016, and served as coordinating producer of the 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony and primetime show. Solomon also serves as Executive Producer, GOLF Channel.

    • “I’m excited for this summer, when the world comes together for competition and to celebrate its finest athletes,” Solomon said. “With so many American women putting forth dominant performances in individual and team sports in recent Olympics, I’m extremely proud to be part of our NBC Olympics team, which also features talented women at all levels and job functions – both in front of and behind the camera — who are essential to making our presentation a success across every platform.”

 

Jenny Storms, NBCUniversal’s Chief Marketing Officer for Entertainment and Sports, heads the company’s consumer engagement and marketing strategy, bringing the stories of the athletes and their journeys to life across NBCU’s marketing platforms leading up to and throughout the Olympics and Paralympics. Storms promoted NBC Olympics’ coverage of the two most recent Games (PyeongChang 2018 and Rio 2016).

    • “We recognize the stories of dedication and perseverance begin long before these remarkable athletes take the Olympic and Paralympic stage, capturing our attention,” said Storms. “Launching On Her Turfas a platform to highlight and translate the lessons these athletes have learned has helped empower and inspire everyday women and girls to be the best version of themselves, both on and off the field. Working with the impressive collection of women at NBCU serves as a daily reminder of women’s potential when they are empowered.”

 

Marsha Bird is senior vice president of NBC Olympic operations, overseeing production logistics, accreditation, transportation, lodging, and Games event management. A veteran of 12 prior Olympic assignments with NBCU, the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will be Bird’s first in this role.

    • “Working on the logistics for the Olympics is the ultimate team sport, and the Tokyo Games are the most challenging and complex we’ve ever faced,” said Bird. “I’m honored to be leading this group and for the privilege to work alongside so many talented colleagues on the Tokyo Games.”

 

Among NBC Olympics’ record number of female on-air commentators for the Tokyo Olympics this summer are Mary Carillo, Andrea Joyce, Nastia Liukin, Rebecca Lowe, Sanya Richards-Ross, Michele Tafoya and Kathryn Tappen. Complete on-air teams will be announced in the coming months.

To hear from women at all levels of experience and in varying job functions who will be a part of this summer’s NBC Olympics team, click here for a special video.

In addition, NBC Sports today debuted three Olympic-themed Women’s History Month vignettes:  “Memories,” “The World Will Be Watching,” and “If.”

This afternoon, NBCSN kicks off a special slate of programming presented by On Her Turf with an encore of Sunday’s Manchester City-Everton match in the FA Women’s Super League at 3 p.m. ET. Then at 5 p.m. ET, it’s a 7.5-hour Olympic marathon featuring every gold medal won by American women at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. The epic U.S.-Canada women’s gold-medal hockey game leads off (5-7 p.m. ET), followed by the improbable come-from-behind, first-place finish in the cross country team sprint by Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall (7-8 p.m. ET), Mikaela Shiffrin’s win in the giant slalom (8-9 p.m. ET), Chloe Kim’s victory in the halfpipe (9:30-11 p.m. ET), and Jamie Anderson capturing the slopestyle (11 p.m.-12:30 a.m. ET). Click here for a look at NBC Sports’ programming during Women’s History Month this March.

Following is a closer look at women who will lead job functions for NBC Olympics this summer:

Rebecca Chatman is vice president and coordinating producer of Olympic production and is overseeing NBC Olympics’ inaugural coverage on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service. Chatman has worked on the previous 11 Olympics presented by NBCUniversal, beginning with the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She produced the NBC primetime show for the 2014 Sochi, 2016 Rio, and 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.

Lee Ann Gschwind is the coordinating producer of Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, which will present coverage throughout the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Gschwind is a veteran of eight NBC Olympics presentations, beginning with 2004 Athens.

Gemma Mansfield is senior vice president of human resources for NBC Olympics’ production and operations. Beginning in the role in July 2018, Tokyo marks Mansfield’s first Games with NBCU, where she will oversee approximately 4,000 NBC Olympics personnel on-site in Tokyo and in U.S. production locations.

Alexa Pritting is the coordinating producer of the Tokyo Paralympic Games, which will include a record 1,200 hours of programming across the platforms of NBCUniversal from Aug. 24-Sept. 5. Pritting has worked on seven Olympics and three Paralympics for NBCU.

Betsy Riley is the track & field producer in Tokyo, marking her eighth assignment for NBC Olympics. Riley, who served as the producer for sideline reporter Michele Tafoya on Sunday Night Football in 2020, began working on NBC Olympics coverage in 2004.

Lyndsay Signor is senior vice president of consumer engagement for NBC Sports, responsible for promoting the Games across all NBCU platforms. Signor will work her seventh Olympics for NBCU in Tokyo, with her first the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Patricia Vega is chief financial officer, NBC Sports and Olympics production. Vega, who marks her eighth Games with NBCU this summer, oversees the financial planning and reporting for NBC Olympics.

NBC Olympics will provide unprecedented coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday, July 23, creating a full day of Olympic programming on NBC that culminates in what is always one of the most-watched nights in television with the primetime presentation of the Ceremony.

ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS

A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic and 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 sports programming throughout the year, which is presented on NBC, NBCSN, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms.

– NBC SPORTS –

NBC OLYMPICS TO PROVIDE UNPRECEDENTED NETWORK COVERAGE OF TOKYO OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY

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Comprehensive Primetime Presentation to be Complemented by NBC Olympics’ First-Ever Live Morning Broadcast

Primetime Show Begins Friday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC; Live Morning Broadcast Begins at 6:55 a.m. ET on NBC

“Following the unprecedented challenges presented by the global pandemic, the world will come together in Tokyo for what could be the most meaningful and anticipated Opening Ceremony ever.” – Pete Bevacqua, Chairman, NBC Sports Group

STAMFORD, Conn. – Feb. 10, 2021 – NBC Olympics will provide unprecedented coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday, July 23, creating a full day of Olympic programming on NBC that culminates in what is always one of the most-watched nights in television with the primetime presentation of the Ceremony. The day will begin with the network’s first-ever live morning broadcast of an Opening Ceremony, followed by a special edition of TODAY with reaction and athlete interviews and then NBC’s first-ever Olympic Daytime show on the opening Friday of the Games.

The highly anticipated Tokyo Opening Ceremony will be the first major global gathering since the worldwide pandemic began last year. The NBC primetime broadcast will feature special coverage of Team USA, along with the performances, pageantry, and Parade of Nations, the heart of any Opening Ceremony, which will be especially meaningful this year. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT on NBC.

In order to provide viewers with the opportunity to share this historic experience with people from around the world as it happens, the Tokyo Opening Ceremony will also be broadcast live on NBC across all time zones starting at 6:55 a.m. ET/3:55 a.m. PT, including participation by TODAY anchors who viewers welcome into their homes each morning. This marks the first time NBC Olympics will broadcast an Opening Ceremony live in the morning. With Tokyo 13 hours ahead of the east coast of the United States, the Opening Ceremony begins at 8 p.m. in Japan, which is 7 a.m. ET/4 a.m. PT.

The NBC primetime coverage of the Tokyo Opening Ceremony will be replayed overnight, allowing viewers another opportunity to experience this historic moment and creating a near Ceremony takeover of NBC.

Pete Bevacqua, Chairman, NBC Sports Group: “Following the unprecedented challenges presented by the global pandemic, the world will come together in Tokyo for what could be the most meaningful and anticipated Opening Ceremony ever. Given the magnitude of this event, we want to provide viewers with as many ways to connect to it as possible, live or in primetime.”

Molly Solomon, Executive Producer and President, NBC Olympics Production: “We are delighted to offer live coverage of the Opening Ceremony for those who want immediacy, and, later in the day, build on NBC Olympics’ terrific primetime legacy with a full celebration of these much anticipated Tokyo Olympics, complete with expert analysis and enhanced coverage of Team USA.”

Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics: “Athletes are the heart of the Olympic movement, and the Opening Ceremony will be a global celebration of their dedication and resilience during their long journey to Tokyo. The same holds true for the IOC, the Japanese government, and the Tokyo Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, who are navigating unimaginable challenges to provide the athletes with what for so many is a once in a lifetime opportunity to compete on the world’s biggest stage.”

More information about NBC Olympics’ coverage of the Opening Ceremony, including its hosts, and the more than 7,000 hours of coverage planned for the Tokyo Olympics, will be provided closer to the start of the Games.

The full digital and streaming plans for the Tokyo Olympics will be announced at a later date.

***

JULY 23 TOKYO OLYMPICS PROGRAMMING ON NBC

All Times ET

6:55 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Live Opening Ceremony Coverage
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Special Edition of TODAY
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tokyo Olympics Daytime
7:30 p.m. – Midnight Primetime Opening Ceremony
12:35 a.m. – 5:00 a.m.* Overnight Replay of Opening Ceremony

 

All Times PT

3:55 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Live Opening Ceremony Coverage
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Special Edition of TODAY
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tokyo Olympics Daytime
4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Primetime Opening Ceremony
9:10 p.m. – 1:10 a.m.* Opening Ceremony Primetime Encore
1:10 a.m. – 5:00 a.m.* Overnight Replay of Opening Ceremony

*July 24

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–

X Games Aspen 2021 Day Three News and Results

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X Games Aspen 2021 wrapped up today, with a jam-packed Sunday filled with Jeep Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle, Jeep Men’s Ski Slopestyle, Pacifico Women’s Snowboard Big Air, Monster Energy Men’s Snowboard SuperPipe, The Real Cost Men’s Snowboard Big Air and Wendy’s Ski Knuckle Huck.  The 20th annual event, live from Buttermilk Mountain, was the first-ever with no spectators in attendance.

The post X Games Aspen 2021 Day Three News and Results appeared first on ESPN Press Room U.S..

X Games Aspen 2021 Day Two News and Results

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Action continued on day two of X Games Aspen 2021, with fans able to catch Jeep Women’s Ski Slopestyle live on ABC, The Real Cost Men’s Ski Big Air on @XGames socials and Monster Energy Women’s Snowboard SuperPipe in primetime on ESPN. The 20th annual event, live from Buttermilk Mountain, is the first-ever with no spectators in attendance.

The post X Games Aspen 2021 Day Two News and Results appeared first on ESPN Press Room U.S..

PEACOCK PREMIUM BECOMES EXCLUSIVE STREAMING HOME OF NBC SPORTS’ SPEED SKATING COVERAGE FOR 2021 INTERNATIONAL SKATING SEASON

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Speed Skating on Peacock Premium Includes Live, Commercial-Free Coverage of ISU World Cup Events, ISU World Short Track Championships & More

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 14, 2021 – NBC Sports’ exclusive speed skating streaming coverage, offering fans extensive live and commercial-free events, will move from NBC Sports Gold’s “Speed Skating Pass” to Peacock Premium beginning with the start of the 2021 season this Saturday, Jan. 16. Peacock Premium is available for $4.99 per month.

Speed skating on Peacock Premium features comprehensive coverage of major 2021 international competitions, including the World Speed Skating Championships and World Short Track Championships. Coverage begins with European Speed Skating Championships this Saturday and culminates with the 2021 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships from March 6-7.

Coverage includes access to 75 hours of live, commercial-free speed skating events. Click here for more information.

Following is the schedule for Peacock Premium’s 2021 Speed Skating coverage:

    • European Speed Skating Championships: January 16-17
    • World Cup Speed Skating: January 23-24 and January 30-31
    • European Short Track Speed Skating Championships: January 23-24
    • World Speed Skating Championships: February 11-14
    • World Short Track Speed Skating Championships: March 6-7

 

Speed skating is the most recent addition to live sports on Peacock. Upcoming live sports on Peacock includes coverage of Premier League, Supercross, Pro Motocross, and select events from the upcoming Tokyo and Beijing Olympics. Fans can also watch on demand replays of events like Triple Crown horse races, daily highlights from NBC Sports, and hundreds of hours of sports series, documentaries and films such as Tiger Woods: Chasing History; 1968; I Am Ali; Dream Team; Being Evel; Feherty; Willie; and Peacock Originals Lost Speedways and In Deep with Ryan Lochte.

Viewers can sign up for Peacock at peacocktv.com. Peacock is currently available on the Roku platform; Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD; Google platforms and devices including Android™, Android TV™ devices, Chromecast and Chromecast built-in devices; Microsoft’s Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One S and Xbox One X; Sony PlayStation4 and PlayStation 4 Pro; and VIZIO SmartCast™ TVs and LG Smart TVs. Comcast’s eligible Xfinity X1 and Flex customers, as well as eligible Cox Contour customers, enjoy Peacock Premium included with their service at no additional cost.

NATHAN CHEN STARS IN NBC SPORTS’ LIVE COVERAGE OF 2021 TOYOTA U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS WEEK, PART OF 2021 TEAM USA CHAMPIONS SERIES, PRESENTED BY XFINITY

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15+ Hours of Live Event Programming Across NBC and NBCSN; TV Coverage Begins Tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN

 Two-Time Defending U.S. Champion Alysa Liu Takes on Talented Field in Ladies’ Free Skate Friday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC

Nathan Chen Headlines Live Men’s Short Program Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on NBC and Men’s Free Skate Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC

Every Skater in Every Discipline Streamed Live on Peacock Premium

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 13, 2021 – Two-time reigning world champion Nathan Chen headlines NBC Sports’ 15+ hours of live coverage of the 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships, part of the 2021 Team USA Champions Series, presented by Xfinity, beginning tomorrow, January 14. The event will be contested at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

Live television coverage kicks off tomorrow on NBCSN with the pairs’ (6-8 p.m. ET) and ladies’ (10 p.m. – midnight ET) short programs. On Friday, Jan. 15, the rhythm dance will be televised live on NBCSN (4-6 p.m. ET), and the ladies’ free skate will air live on NBC (8-11 p.m. ET/PT).

Weekend coverage begins on Saturday, Jan. 16, with the men’s short program live on NBC (4-6 p.m. ET), followed by the free dance and pairs’ free skate live on NBCSN (9 p.m. – midnight ET). Live U.S. Championships coverage concludes on Sunday, Jan. 17 on NBC with the men’s free skate (3:30-6 p.m. ET).

Headlining the men’s field is Chen, who seeks his fifth consecutive U.S. title and is undefeated since placing fifth at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang. With a victory, Chen would be the first to win five national titles since Todd Eldredge and the first to win five straight since two-time Olympic gold medalist Dick Button, who won seven in a row from 1946 to 1952. 2015 U.S. champion Jason Brown and 2019 world bronze medalist Vincent Zhou are also expected to contend in the men’s field.

The ladies’ field features two-time defending champion Alysa Liu, who won a bronze medal at the world junior championships last season, as well as 2020 U.S. silver medalist Mariah Bell and 2018 U.S. champion and Olympic team bronze medalist Bradie Tennell, who finished first and second, respectively, at Skate America in October. Bell, Tennell, and 2017 U.S. champion Karen Chen are expected to be the top contenders in the ladies’ event.

Two-time U.S. champions Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue aim for a third title in the ice dance event in a showdown with their training mates, two-time champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who won national titles last year and in 2015.

The U.S. Championships serve as the final qualifying event for the 2021 World Figure Skating Championships, which are scheduled for late March in Stockholm, Sweden.

On the NBC and NBCSN shows, Terry Gannon handles play-by-play for all disciplines, joined by 1998 Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski and recently-elected U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer and three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir on men’s, ladies’, and pairs’ programs. 2006 Olympic ice dance silver medalist Tanith White serves as the analyst on ice dance and Andrea Joyce will be the on-site reporter.

The Skating Spectacular will air on NBC from 1-3 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 14. Additionally, a U.S. Figure Skating “Best Of” show will air on Sunday, Jan. 31 on NBC from Noon-2 p.m. ET. The 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships competitions, including every skater in every discipline, can be streamed live and on-demand on NBCUniversal’s digital streaming platform Peacock Premium.

Coverage on NBC and NBCSN is live streamed on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships
All times Eastern. Check local listing. Subject to change.

Date Event Time Network
Thurs., Jan. 14 Pairs’ Short 6 – 8 p.m. NBCSN (Live)
Thurs., Jan. 14 Ladies’ Short 10 p.m. – Midnight NBCSN (Live)
Fri., Jan. 15 Rhythm Dance 4 – 6 p.m. NBCSN (Live)
Fri., Jan. 15 Ladies’ Free 8 – 11 p.m. NBC (Live ET)
Sat., Jan. 16 Men’s Short 4 – 6 p.m. NBC (Live)
Sat., Jan. 16 Free Dance / Pairs’ Free 9 p.m. – Midnight NBCSN (Live)
Sun, Jan. 17 Men’s Free 3:30 – 6 p.m. NBC (Live)
Sun., Jan. 24 Free Dance 5 – 6 p.m. NBC
Sun., Jan. 31 U.S. Championships – Best Of 12 – 2 p.m. NBC
Sat, Feb. 14 U.S. Championships Skating Spectacular 1 – 3 p.m. NBC

 

– NBC SPORTS –

2020-21 FIS ALPINE SKIING WORLD CUP SEASON CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND FROM ST. MORITZ, SWITZERLAND, AND SANTA CATERINA VALFURVA, ITALY, ACROSS NBC SPORTS AND PEACOCK PREMIUM

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Women’s Super-G and Men’s Giant Slalom Live this Saturday and Sunday on Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA; Encore Presentation of Women’s Super-G on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC

Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Freestyle Skiing, and World Ski Flying Championships Coverage Also Featured This Month

Peacock Premium is New Streaming Home of Winter Olympic Sports, Including Exclusive Rights to Austria Events

STAMFORD, Conn. – Dec. 2, 2020 – NBC Sports’ extensive coverage of Winter Olympic sports continues this month with the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup women’s Super-G from St. Moritz, Switzerland, this Saturday and Sunday at 5:30 a.m. ET live on Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBC Sports digital platforms and Peacock Premium. An encore presentation of Sunday’s race will be presented later in the afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Several members of a strong American women’s speed team, including two-time Olympians Alice McKennis and Jackie Wiles and 2018 Olympian Breezy Johnson, are making their season debuts this weekend in St. Moritz.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety, two-time Olympian Tommy Ford and 2018 Olympian Ryan Cochran-Siegle are expected to compete in the men’s giant slalom this weekend in Santa Caterina Valfurva, Italy. Live coverage will begin Saturday at 7 a.m. ET and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBC Sports digital platforms and Peacock Premium.

NBC Sports’ Steve Schlanger (play-by-play) will call the alpine skiing action alongside former U.S. ski team racer Steve Porino (analyst).

In addition to alpine skiing, NBC Sports and Peacock Premium offer extensive coverage of six additional skiing and snowboarding sports in December, including cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, Nordic combined, ski jumping and biathlon. Complete schedules can be accessed here.

Last month, it was announced that NBC Sports’ exclusive streaming of winter Olympic sports has moved from NBC Sports Gold’s “Snow Pass” to Peacock Premium, which is available at https://www.peacocktv.com/snow. Peacock Premium is also the exclusive home to all FIS events held in Austria.

In addition to live alpine skiing coverage this weekend, NBCSN will air encore presentations of the 2019 Xfinity Birds of Prey men’s giant slalom (Friday at 1 p.m. ET) and men’s downhill events (Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET) that took place in Beaver Creek, Colo., last year. Tommy Ford earned his first-ever World Cup victory in the giant slalom.

Below is NBC Sports’ December telecast schedule for its 2020-21 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup coverage (times and networks are subject to change):

Date Event Time (ET) Network
12/5/2020 Women’s Super-G – St. Moritz, Switzerland 5:30 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
Men’s Giant Slalom – Santa Caterina Valfurva, Italy 7:30 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
12/6/2020 Women’s Super-G – St. Moritz, Switzerland 5:30 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
Men’s Giant Slalom – Santa Caterina Valfurva, Italy 7 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
Women’s Super-G – St. Moritz, Switzerland* 4:30 p.m. NBC
12/12/2020 Men’s Downhill – Val d’Isere, France 4:30 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
Women’s Giant Slalom – Courchevel, France 6:30 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
12/13/2020 Men’s Super-G – Val d’Isere, France 4:30 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
Women’s Giant Slalom – Courchevel, France 6:30 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
Women’s Giant Slalom – Courchevel, France* 10 p.m. NBCSN
12/18/2020 Women’s Downhill – Val d’Isere, France 4:30 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
Men’s Super-G – Val Gardena, Italy 5:45 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
12/19/2020 Women’s Downhill – Val d’Isere, France 4:30 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
Men’s Downhill – Val Gardena, Italy 5:45 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
Women’s Downhill – Val d’Isere, France* 5 p.m. NBC
Women’s Downhill – Val d’Isere, France* 9:30 p.m. NBCSN
Men’s Downhill – Val Gardena, Italy* 10:30 p.m. NBCSN
12/20/2020 Women’s Super-G – Val d’Isere, France 5 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
Men’s Giant Slalom – Alta Badia, Italy 7:30 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
Women’s Super-G – Val d’Isere, France* 11 p.m. NBCSN
Men’s Giant Slalom – Alta Badia, Italy* 12:30 a.m. NBCSN
12/21/2020 Men’s Slalom – Alta Badia, Italy 7 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
12/22/2020 Men’s Slalom – Madonna di Campiglio, Italy 2:30 p.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
12/26/2020 Women’s Giant Slalom – Courchevel, France^ 3 p.m. NBC
12/28/2020 Men’s Downhill – Bormio, Italy 5:30 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA
Men’s Downhill – Bormio, Italy* 3 p.m. NBCSN
12/29/2020 Men’s Super-G – Bormio, Italy 5:30 a.m. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA

*Same-day delay

^Taped from Dec. 13, 2020

Note: In addition to streaming on Peacock Premium, all television coverage will stream on NBC Sports digital platforms.

***

Following are NBC Sports’ television schedules for other FIS and IBU disciplines in December:

For the World Ski Flying Championships schedule, click here.

For the freestyle skiing schedule, click here.

For the cross-country skiing schedule, click here.

For the biathlon schedule, click here.

***

Following is the 2020-21 winter Olympic sports schedule in December on Peacock Premium (organized by discipline, subject to change):

EVENT DATE
 

ALPINE SKIING
Santa Caterina Valfurva, ITA Dec. 5 – 6
St. Mortiz, SUI Dec. 5 – 6
Courchevel, FRA Dec. 12 – 13
Val d’Isere, FRA Dec. 12 – 13
Val d’Isere, FRA Dec. 18 – 20
Val Gardena, ITA Dec. 18 – 20
Alta Badia, ITA Dec. 20 – 21
Madonna, ITA Dec. 22
Semmering, AUT Dec. 28 – 29
Bormio, ITA Dec. 28 – 29
 
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
Davos, SUI Dec. 12 – 13
Dresden, GER Dec. 19 – 20
 
FREESTYLE SKIING
Ruka, FIN Dec. 5 – 6
Idre Fjall, SWE Dec. 12 – 13
Arosa, SUI Dec. 15
Val Thorens, FRA Dec. 19 – 20
 
SNOWBOARD
Cortina, ITA Dec. 12
Carezza, ITA Dec. 17
 
NORDIC COMBINED
Ramsau, AUT Dec. 19 – 20
BIATHLON EVENTS
Kontiolahti, FIN Nov. 28 – Dec. 6
Hochfilzen, AUT Dec. 11 – 20
SKI JUMPING
Nizhny Tagil, RUS Dec. 4 – 6
Engelberg, SUI Dec. 18 – 20
Oberstdorf, GER Dec. 28 – 29
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER Dec. 31 – Jan. 1

 

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS GROUP & WORLD ATHLETICS PARTNER ON LONG-TERM MEDIA RIGHTS AGREEMENT FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN TRACK AND FIELD

By

NBC Sports Continues as the Long-Term U.S. Home of Global Track and Field through 2029; Partnership Features Next Five World Athletics Championships 

NBC Sports’ to Present First-Ever World Athletics Championships Held in U.S. – July 2022 in Eugene, Oregon

STAMFORD, Conn. & MONACO – November 23, 2020 – NBC Sports Group and World Athletics have partnered on a media rights agreement that provides NBC Sports Group with exclusive multi-platform media rights to World Athletics Series events through 2029, both parties announced today.

The new agreement extends the previous World Athletics-NBC Sports partnership, which now includes the next five installments of the World Athletics Championships, the sport’s marquee track and field event.

The 2022 competition will take place in the U.S. for the first time, from July 15-24, 2022, at the iconic Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. NBC Sports has also televised most of the previous World Athletics Championships, beginning with the inaugural event in Helsinki in 1983.

“The World Athletics Championships Oregon22 will be an historic occasion for our sport and we are delighted to have such a trusted broadcast partner by our side to showcase our sport in the United States,’’ said World Athletics president Sebastian Coe. “The next decade presents a tremendous opportunity for us to build our American fanbase for track and field by highlighting the amazing athletes the U.S. produces, and telling their stories as they take on the greatest athletes from around the globe. NBC Sports’ ability to take fans inside those must-watch moments will be vital to our efforts.”

“We are thrilled to extend our long-term partnership with World Athletics,” said Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics. “Track & Field is a cornerstone of the Olympic program, and with the World Championships coming to the U.S. for the first time ever in Eugene in 2022 and a group of young and talented American stars on the rise, we couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to deliver these events and tell their stories for years to come.”

The new agreement, delivered with the support of World Athletics’ global commercial partner, Dentsu Inc, covers every official world championship in track and field, road and cross-country events until 2029.

The following events will be presented across NBC Sports platforms:

    • Five World Athletics Championships
    • Five World Athletics Indoor Championships
    • Five World Athletics Cross Country Championships
    • Five World Athletics Relays
    • Five World Athletics Half Marathon / Road Running Championships
    • Five World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships
    • Five World Athletics Under 20 Championships

 

In addition to the complete suite of World Athletics Series events, NBC Sports currently holds the long-term U.S. media rights to the Wanda Diamond League series and elite USA Track and Field events.

–NBC Sports–