Encore of NBC’s Olympics Coverage Kicks Off Expanded Distribution for Universal Sports Network

Universal Sports has added
nine markets to its distribution tier, making the network available in more
than 30 million TV households across the country. To kick off the distribution
in those new markets, Universal Sports Network is delivering encore
presentations of NBC’s 2008 Beijing Olympic Games coverage through the end of
September.
“Expanding our distribution
while providing a second chance to watch the historic moments from the Beijing
Olympic Games makes Universal Sports Network the place where athletes and fans
can truly immerse themselves in the sports they love,” says Claude Ruibal, CEO
of Universal Sports.
As part of the encore
presentation, Universal Sports Network will create special theme nights
catering to fans of particular sports, such as swimming and gymnastics.
Spotlights of
Beijing’s big moments will be highlighted, including a
special on Michael Phelps and a montage of gold-medal moments. Primetime
programming will include encores of competitions in rowing, fencing, diving,
gymnastics, water polo, swimming, marathon, and track & field.
Universal
Sports Network is now available in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago,
Philadelphia, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Washington, San Diego,
Dallas-Fort Worth, Hartford-New Haven, Omaha, and Las Vegas. These markets
include coverage on the digital tiers of nine NBC Universal owned-and-operated
television stations.
“Significantly adding to
our market reach is a key component of our plan for Universal Sports Network to
be seen on a widespread national scale,” says Gary Zenkel, president, NBC
Olympics. “There is a considerable appetite for coverage of Olympic-related
sports and the incredible athletes that compete as they progress toward the
next Olympic Games.”