Beijing 2022: NBC Sports Will Deliver Live 4K/HDR/ATMOS Primetime, Prime Plus Broadcasts of Winter Olympics for the First Time

For the first time ever for a Winter Olympics, NBC Sports will provide live coverage of the NBC broadcast network’s Olympics primetime and Prime Plus shows in certain markets in 4K UHD with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and ATMOS sound. NBC previously delivered the Tokyo 2020 (more coverage here and here), PyeongChang 2018 (more coverage here and here) and Rio 2016 (more coverage here) Summer Games in 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos audio, but this marks the first Winter Olympics where primetime and prime plus broadcasts will be presented live in the next-gen video and audio formats.

NBC’s primetime coverage of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will also be presented in 4K HDR. Events which will be featured in 4K HDR during the Winter Olympics primetime and Prime Plus shows include figure skating, skiing, snowboarding, hockey, bobsled, and other sports. Prime Plus follows the late local news in most markets and often features live competition given the time difference between Beijing and the U.S.

NBCUniversal will distribute the 4K HDR coverage to U.S. distribution partners, who will individually choose how to make the content available to their customers.

“The Winter Olympics provide some of the most amazing moments and stunning visuals in the world of sports,” says Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics. “We’re excited to once again bring the American audience closer to all of the incredible action with our live primetime and Prime Plus shows utilizing this remarkable 4K HDR technology.”

NBC Sports’ 4K UHD programming provides pictures in ultra-high resolution (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) that is four times that of current HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels), HDR, which produces wider contrast and richer range of colors, and Dolby ATMOS, which provides a fully immersive overhead surround sound experience.

NBCUniversal will provide coverage of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games from Feb. 2-20. The Opening Ceremony will be presented on Friday, Feb. 4, live in the morning and again in primetime on NBC and Peacock. Similar to recent Winter Games, NBC’s primetime Olympic coverage begins the night before the Opening Ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 3. Coverage begins on Wednesday, Feb. 2, on USA Network and Peacock. NBCUniversal is presenting its 18th Olympic Games, 12th consecutive overall, and sixth straight Winter Games, all the most by any U.S. media company.