NBC Execs Hype Olympic Coverage, Downplay Rio Concerns

NBC Sports execs yesterday promised a smooth ride in Rio despite numerous problems plaguing the Olympic host city. "We are ready and Rio is ready," NBC Sports Chair Mark Lazarus said. "This will be the biggest media event in history." NBC will turn a profit on the '16 Games, the second straight Games in the black after losing money in Vancouver ’10 and breaking even on London ’12, Lazarus also said. The network is close to reaching the $1.2B in ad sales mark, Exec VP/Ad Sales Seth Winter said.

During a press event at 30 Rock, Lazarus disclosed that the Opening Ceremony on Aug. 5 will air on a one-hour delay to better allow commentators and producers to explain the pageantry of the show. Almost all of the more than 6,700 hours of sports coverage will air live.