New York — NBC Universal said it plans to provide 416 total hours of coverage of the Torino Olympic Winter Games, including “the most high-definition coverage in Olympic television history.”
The coverage, which will take place Feb. 10-26, will be aired on multiple NBC Universal Networks: including NBC, USA, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC HD and Universal HD. The total hours of coverage will be up from the 375.5 hours carried on NBC, CNBC and MSNBC from Salt Lake City, during the previous Winter Games.
NBC said the Torino HD coverage on NBC broadcast affiliates will include a 1,080i/5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound simulcast of the standard definition analog broadcast coverage from those venues that have been wired for high definition. The signals will be carried by most of NBC’s network affiliates across the country.
“Figure skating, hockey, long and short track speed skating, ski jumping, freestyle aerials and moguls, and the opening and closing ceremonies will all be broadcast in 1,080i high definition because those venues in Torino are wired for high-definition coverage by the host broadcaster,” according to an NBC Universal statement. “From those venues where the host broadcaster is unable to provide a high-definition signal, a 16:9 signal will be up-converted by NBC.”
For its cable coverage, the Universal HD cable network will carry a live HD simulcast of much coverage carried on the USA, MSNBC and CNBC channels, since those networks are not yet high-definition platforms.
