List of Olympic Games broadcasters
The following is a list of the television networks and prime time anchors to cover both Summer and Winter Olympic Games throughout the years.
United States
Summer
Year |
Network |
Prime time host |
2012 |
NBC |
TBA |
2008 |
NBC |
Bob Costas |
2004 |
NBC |
Bob Costas |
2000 |
NBC |
Bob Costas |
1996 |
NBC |
Bob Costas |
1992 |
NBC |
Bob Costas |
1988 |
NBC |
Bryant Gumbel |
1984 |
ABC |
Jim McKay |
1980 |
NBC* |
[...] Enberg and Bryant Gumbel* |
1976 |
ABC |
Jim McKay |
1972 |
ABC |
Chris Schenkel |
1968 |
ABC |
Chris Schenkel |
1964 |
NBC |
Bill Henry |
1960 |
CBS |
Jim McKay |
Notes
- In 1960, Jim McKay anchored the Olympics from CBS' studios in New York. Live coverage from Rome was not possible (telecommunication satellites would not be launched until 1962). Videotapes of coverage were flown in daily from Rome to New York.
- Contrary to current popular belief, Chris Schenkel, not Jim McKay, anchored the ill-fated 1972 Munich Olympics. When the [...] attack occurred, Schenkel was asleep after hosting the previous night’s coverage live from Munich, 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. local time. McKay, who was on his way to the Stadium for track & field coverage, was told to return to the ABC studio to report on the situation unfolding at the Olympic village. Schenkel returned to anchor Olympic coverage after the Games resumed.
- (*) Though the United States boycotted these games, NBC held the rights to the Moscow Olympics, and the number of hours broadcast were reduced from 100+ hours to little more than three. The hosts for the two-hour wrap-up show were [...] Enberg and Bryant Gumbel, who were scheduled to be the main prime time hosts. Therefore, they're given credit for being the anchors.
Winter
Year |
Network |
Prime time host |
2010 |
NBC |
TBA |
2006 |
NBC |
Bob Costas |
2002 |
NBC |
Bob Costas |
1998 |
CBS |
Jim Nantz |
1994 |
CBS |
Greg Gumbel |
1992 |
CBS |
Tim McCarver and Paula Zahn |
1988 |
ABC |
Jim McKay |
1984 |
ABC |
Jim McKay |
1980 |
ABC |
Jim McKay |
1976 |
ABC |
Jim McKay |
1972 |
NBC |
Curt Gowdy |
1968 |
ABC |
Chris Schenkel |
1964 |
ABC |
Jim McKay |
1960 |
CBS |
Walter Cronkite |
See also
- United States at the Olympics
Canada
Summer Olympics
Year |
Network |
Prime time host |
2012 |
CTV |
TBA |
2008 |
CBC |
Ron MacLean and Scott Russell |
2004 |
CBC |
Brian Williams |
2000 |
CBC |
Brian Williams |
1996 |
CBC |
Brian Williams |
1992 |
CTV |
Rod Black |
1988 |
CBC |
Brian Williams |
1984 |
CBC |
Brian Williams |
1980 |
No coverage |
|
1976 |
CBC |
Lloyd Robertson and Ernie Afaganis |
1972 |
CBC |
Lloyd Robertson |
1968 |
CBC |
Lloyd Robertson |
1964 |
CBC |
Ted Reynolds |
1960 |
CBC |
Lloyd Robertson |
Notes
- Ron MacLean was the main sportscaster and host for CBC's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing until his mother died, causing him to hand over duties to Scott Russell.
Winter Olympics
Year |
Network |
Prime time host |
2010 |
CTV |
Brian Williams |
2006 |
CBC |
Brian Williams |
2002 |
CBC |
Brian Williams |
1998 |
CBC |
Brian Williams |
1994 |
CTV |
Rod Black |
1992 |
CBC |
Brian Williams |
1988 |
CTV |
Lloyd Robertson |
1984 |
CTV |
Lloyd Robertson |
1980 |
CTV |
Johnny Esaw |
1976 |
CTV |
Johnny Esaw |
1972 |
CTV |
Johnny Esaw |
1968 |
CTV |
Johnny Esaw |
1964 |
CTV |
Johnny Esaw |
1960 |
CBC |
Lloyd Robertson |
See also
- Canada at the Olympics