AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.
Another Summer Olympics is almost upon us! If you’re worried about missing it, relax: These days, the most difficult part of catching the Games is simply making enough time to watch all of it, thanks to the variety of channels, streaming sites and apps giving you a front row seat. Read on to find out how to watch the Olympics this year.
In a nutshell
- NBC and its streaming service Peacock are broadcasting the games.
- Cable channels will also broadcast portions of the games including CNBC, NBCSN, USA and Telemundo.
- Streaming services including DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Hulu, Sling TV and YouTube TV will also carry some of the Olympic events.
Who is broadcasting or streaming the Olympics?
NBC is the main broadcaster in America for the 2024 Summer Olympics, meaning that its streaming service, Peacock, will share in the broadcasting duties for the Games. If you’re a subscriber to Peacock, you’ll be able to watch every event on your browser, TV app or mobile device from several different apps.
Peacock
What are the ways to watch the Olympics 2024?
Peacock offers the most comprehensive coverage of this year’s Summer Olympics. The official NBC Olympics website has a complete schedule for the summer games on its Peacock streaming service. If you miss any of the action, Peacock also offers personalized recaps of the events featuring an artificial intelligence-generated voice of sports commentator Al Michaels.
Some of the events will also be available on NBC’s cable channels and Telemundo for Spanish-speaking viewers. There are a number of streaming services offering access to Olympics coverage, too, including DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Hulu, Sling TV and YouTube TV as well as VPN services that allow for server location access to the broadcasts.
Watching on television
The cheapest and easiest way to watch the Olympic Games is the old-fashioned way. Just get a high definition antenna, hook it up to your TV and catch the broadcasts on NBC’s main channel.
If you’ve got cable, the games are also being broadcast on NBC’s sister stations such as CNBC, NBCSN and USA and the Telemundo networks. You can watch some of the swimming, track and field, gymnastics and diving events on your local NBC station and USA. CNBC will air some of the events in the paralympic trials. The full broadcast schedule is available on the NBC Olympics website.
Streaming the Olympics online
All of the Olympics events are accessible on several different video streaming services and the NBC streaming app, Peacock, which has a subscription for $5.99 a month with ads or $19.99 a month ad-free.
Peacock
DirecTV Stream offers access to NBC’s cable channels in its cable packages — you can watch the games with its entertainment package for $79.99 a month.
DirecTV Stream Entertainment Package
One of the top sports streaming services, FuboTV, also offers access to NBC’s Olympic broadcast channels, depending on your location. Channel packages start at $79.99 with 190 total channels. There’s also a Latino cable channel package that includes Telemundo for $32.99. All packages come with a free trial.
FuboTV
Hulu’s Live TV package also offers Olympics coverage for its viewers. Hulu + Live TV is available with a $76.99 monthly subscription with ads or $89.99 per month without ads.
Hulu + Live TV
Sling TV offers more flexibility with its channel packages, but its Olympics coverage is limited to what cable channels are broadcasting. Its “Blue” channel package includes NBC and USA as well as access to both ESPN channels, if you only feel like catching the highlights for $40 a month with half off for the first month.
Sling TV
YouTubeTV also has Olympics broadcasts with access to NBC, USA, CNBC and more for $72.99 a month. YouTubeTV also offers a 4K upgrade for an extra $9.99 per month.
YouTubeTV
Apps for watching the olympics
The Paris 2024 Olympics app on Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store is the main mobile channel for access to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The app allows viewers to watch the qualifiers and includes up to the minute updates on the events, a full schedule and breaking news alerts. Streaming services including DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Hulu, Sling TV and YouTube TV also have mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.
Exploring alternative ways to engage with the Olympics
Smart TVs and TV streaming devices like Apple TV and Chromecast also offer access to streaming apps so you can watch the Olympic Games on your TV. VPN services like ExpressVPN also allow viewers to access coverage of the Olympics that aren’t broadcast or available in their region.
ExpressVPN (Exclusive offer: Get 3 extra months FREE)
Where to watch the Paralympics
NBC’s Peacock streaming service and app will broadcast all 549 events across 22 sports from this year’s Paralympic Games. Some of the events will also air on CNBC, USA Network and NBC. The schedule for the Paralympcs can be found here.
The AP Buyline roundup
Your options for viewing the Paris 2024 Olympics aren’t just limited to your local NBC affiliate and the cable channels provided by your cable operator. There are a number of streaming services and apps available so you don’t miss a minute of the Summer Games.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Which streaming service has the most sports channels?
NBC has held the American broadcasting rights to the Summer Olympics since 1988 and the Winter Olympics since 2002. This means that the NBC- and Comcast-owned Peacock streaming service and app has the most comprehensive coverage when it comes to the Olympics.
In terms of general sports coverage, FuboTV is the only sports-focused app in the bunch with access to every major sports league and channel you can find on TV or online. FuboTV’s premier packages have 266 sports channels and also come with a DVR for recording those games you don’t want to miss.
Can I watch live sports on these platforms?
Streaming services including DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Hulu, Sling TV and YouTube TV offer access to live sporting events through cable channels like ESPN, NBCSN and Fox Sports. The NFL and NBA also offer special pay-per-view premium packages that allow access to all of its preseason, season and playoff games. The NFL’s Sunday Ticket is available through YouTube TV starting at $349 a year with a YouTube TV subscription, or $449 a year just for a Sunday Ticket subscription. The NBA League Pass package is available online for $14.99 with ads or $22.99 without ads, for up to three devices.
How can I watch the Summer Olympics for free?
The NBC Olympics website offers free access to some of the Summer Games’ highlights, medal ceremonies and the opening and closing ceremonies without a Peacock subscription. You can also use a high-definition antenna to watch the coverage on your local NBC affiliate.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Paris Summer Olympics 2024
AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.