The Winter Olympics open tonight in Vancouver. I’m one of those rare people who like the Winter Games more than the Summer Games. Maybe it’s the thrill of the speed sports (like downhill skiing and bobsled), or the hockey (way better than Olympic basketball), or the simple fact that the U.S. doesn’t dominate, so the field is more wide open. I mean, how often do you otherwise get a chance to cheer for a Swiss or a Latvian?
NBC and its cable family (USA, CNBC, MSNBC and Universal Sports) will be broadcasting hundreds of hours of events, but don’t expect to see much live on NBC. As per the network’s usual genius, we West Coasters will be getting it on tape-delay to punish us for not living in the New York ratings market. Because who wants to watch exciting sports live anyway? (Afternoon hockey games will be live though, on cable. So will, for whatever reason, curling.) (UPDATE: Interesting analysis here from the Sacramento Bee on NBC’s reasoning. Basically, they’re trying to lure non-sports fans, figuring the real sports fans will watch anyway.)
One thing to be aware of: Though the events will be tape-delayed on NBC, most news outlets — including Pressdemocrat.com — will be reporting results as they happen. So if you don’t want to be spoiled, be careful what you read.
Over the next 17 days, I’ll have daily picks for the day’s best events, but here’s the complete schedule. All times are Pacific. (UPDATE: Times and events are subject to change; Sunday’s women’s super-combined, for example, has already been postponed. I’ll try to have the latest events in my daily posts, and you can always check nbcolympics.com for the most current lineup.)
Friday, Feb. 12
NBC
7:30 p.m.-Midnight — Opening Ceremony-Parade of Nations and Lighting of the Olympic Cauldron; Ski Jumping-Individual K-90 Competition.
1:35-6 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
Saturday, Feb. 13 (Day 2)
NBC
2-6 p.m. — Men’s Speedskating-5000 Gold Medal Final; Ski Jumping-Individual K-90 Gold Medal Final; Women’s Biathlon-7.5km Sprint Gold Medal Final.
8-11:30 p.m. — Men’s Short Track-1500 Gold Medal Final; Women’s Freestyle Skiing-Moguls Competition and Gold Medal Final; Men’s Alpine Skiing-Downhill Gold Medal Final.
Midnight-1 a.m. — Men’s Luge-Singles Competition; Women’s Short Track-3000 Relay Semifinals and 500 Competition; Medals Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
1-4:30 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
CNBC
noon-2:30 p.m. — Women’s Ice Hockey-Sweden vs. Switzerland.
5-7:30 p.m. — Women’s Ice Hockey-Canada vs. Slovakia.
Sunday, Feb. 14 (Day 3)
NBC
1-6 p.m. — Women’s Speedskating-3000 Gold Medal Final; Nordic Combined-Individual Gold Medal Final: K-90 Jumping and 10km Cross Country; Men’s Luge-Singles Competition; Men’s Biathlon-10km Sprint Gold Medal Final.
7-11 p.m. — Figure Skating-Pairs Short Program; Men’s Freestyle Skiing-Moguls Gold Medal Final; Men’s Luge-Singles, Gold Medal Final; Women’s Alpine Skiing-Super Combined Gold Medal Final.
11:35 p.m.-12:05 a.m. — Figure Skating-Pairs Post Game; Medals Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
12:05-4:05 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
USA
noon-2:30 p.m. — Women’s Ice Hockey-USA vs. China .
CNBC
4:30-7 p.m. — Women’s Ice Hockey-Finland vs. Russia.
MSNBC
midnight-2:30 a.m. — Women’s Ice Hockey-USA vs. China (replay).
Monday, Feb. 15 (Day 4)
NBC
1-5 p.m. — Men’s Snowboard-Snowboard Cross Competition; Men’s Cross Country-15km Individual Gold Medal Final; Women’s Cross Country-10km Individual Gold Medal Final.
8 p.m.-Midnight — Figure Skating-Pairs Gold Medal Final; Men’s Speedskating-500 Gold Medal Final; Men’s Snowboard-Snowboard Cross Gold Medal Final.
12:35-2 a.m. — Women’s Luge-Competition; Medals Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
2-5 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
MSNBC
2:30-5 p.m. — Women’s Ice Hockey-Canada vs. Switzerland.
midnight-2:30 a.m. — Women’s Ice Hockey-Sweden vs. Slovakia.
Tuesday, Feb. 16 (Day 5)
NBC
3-5 p.m. — Men’s Biathlon-12.5km Pursuit Gold Medal Final; Women’s Biathlon-10km Pursuit Gold Medal Final; Women’s Speedskating competition.
8 p.m.-Midnight — Men’s Figure Skating-Short Program; Women’s Snowboard-Snowboard Cross Gold Medal Final; Women’s Speedskating-500 Gold Medal Final; Men’s Alpine Skiing-Super Combined Gold Medal Final.
12:35-2 a.m. — Women’s Luge-Gold Medal Final; Medals Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
2-5 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
USA
9 a.m.-3 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-USA vs. Switzerland; Men’s Curling-USA vs. Germany.
CNBC
2 p.m.-2 a.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Canada vs. Norway; Russia vs. Latvia Women’s Curling-USA vs. Japan; Women’s Ice Hockey-Finland vs. China; Men’s Curling-USA vs. Norway.
MSNBC
2:30-5 p.m. — Women’s Ice Hockey-USA vs. Russia.
midnight-2:30 a.m. — Men’s Curling-Canada vs. Germany.
Wednesday, Feb. 17 (Day 6)
NBC
3-5 p.m. — Men’s and Women’s Cross Country-Sprint Gold Medal Final.
8-11:30 p.m. — Men’s Snowboard-Halfpipe Gold Medal Final; Men’s Speedskating-1000 Gold Medal Final; Men’s Short Track-5000 Relay Semifinal and 1000 Competition; Women’s Alpine Skiing-Downhill Gold Medal Final.
12:05-1:30 a.m. — Women’s Short Track-500 Competition, Semifinal and Gold Medal Final; Doubles Luge-Gold Medal Final; Medals Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
1:30-5 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
USA
9 a.m.-noon p.m. — Women’s Curling-USA vs. Germany .
MSNBC
noon-5 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Finland vs. Belarus; Women’s Ice Hockey-Canada vs. Sweden.
midnight-3 a.m. — Women’s Curling-Japan vs. Canada.
CNBC
2 p.m.-2 a.m. — Men’s Curling-USA vs. Switzerland; Men’s Ice Hockey-Sweden vs. Germany; Czech Republic vs. Slovakia; Women’s Ice Hockey-Switzerland vs. Slovakia; Women’s Curling-Britain vs. Sweden.
Thursday, Feb. 18 (Day 7)
NBC
3-5 p.m. — Women’s Snowboard-Halfpipe Competition; Women’s Biathlon-15km Individual Gold Medal Final.
8 p.m.-Midnight — Men’s Figure Skating-Free Skate Gold Medal Final; Women’s Snowboard-Halfpipe Gold Medal Final; Women’s Speedskating-1000 Gold Medal Final.
12:35-2 a.m. — Men’s and Women’s Skeleton-Competition; Men’s Biathlon-20km Individual Gold Medal Final; Medals Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
2-5 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
USA
9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-USA vs. Norway; Men’s Curling-USA vs. Denmark .
CNBC
2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Women’s Curling-USA vs. Denmark; Men’s Ice Hockey-Canada vs. Switzerland; Slovakia vs. Russia; Women’s Ice Hockey-Russia vs. China; Men’s Curling-France vs. Canada.
MSNBC
2:30-5 p.m. — Women’s Ice Hockey-USA vs. Finland.
midnight-2:30 a.m. — Women’s Curling-Canada vs. Germany.
Friday, Feb. 19 (Day 8)
NBC
3-5 p.m. — Women’s Cross Country-15km Pursuit Gold Medal Final; Men’s Figure Skating-Gold Medal Final Analysis.
8-11:30 p.m. — Figure Skating-Compulsory Dance; Men’s and Women’s Skeleton-Gold Medal Final; Men’s Alpine Skiing-Super G Gold Medal Final; Ski Jumping-Individual K-120 Large Hill Competition.
12:05-1:30 a.m. — Medals Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
1:30-5 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
USA
9 a.m.-noon — Women’s Curling-USA vs. Russia.
MSNBC
noon-2:30 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Belarus vs. Sweden.
9 p.m.-midnight — Men’s Ice Hockey-Finland vs. Germany
midnight-3 a.m. — Men’s Curling-Denmark vs. Canada.
CNBC
2 p.m.-10 p.m. — Men’s Curling-USA vs. France; Men’s Ice Hockey-Czech Republic vs. Latvia; Women’s Curling-Denmark vs. Canada.
Saturday, Feb. 20 (Day 9)
NBC
1-6 p.m. — Women’s Freestyle Skiing-Aerials Competition; Ski Jumping-Individual: K-120 Large Hill Gold Medal Final; Men’s Cross Country-30km Pursuit Gold Medal Final.
8-11:30 p.m. — Men’s Short Track-1000 Gold Medal Final; Men’s Speedskating-1500 Gold Medal Final; Two-Man Bobsled-Competition; Women’s Alpine Skiing-Super G Gold Medal Final.
Midnight-1 a.m. — Women’s Short Track-1500 Gold Medal Final; Medals Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
1-4:30 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
MSNBC
9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. — Men’s Curling-USA vs. Sweden; Men’s Ice Hockey-Switzerland vs. Norway.
4:30-7 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Slovakia vs. Latvia.
9 p.m.-midnight— Men’s Ice Hockey-Belarus vs. Germany.
midnight-3 a.m. — Men’s Curling-Norway vs. Denmark.
CNBC
2-5 p.m. — Women’s Curling-USA vs. Britain.
7 p.m.-10 p.m. — Men’s Curling-Canada vs. Britain.
Sunday, Feb. 21 (Day 10)
NBC
Noon-6 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Russia vs. Czech Republic; Men’s Freestyle Skiing-Ski Cross Competition; Men’s Biathlon-15km Mass Start Gold Medal Final.
7-11 p.m. — Figure Skating-Original Dance; Women’s Speedskating-1500 Gold Medal Final; Men’s Freestyle Skiing-Ski Cross Gold Medal Final; Men’s Alpine Skiing-Giant Slalom Gold Medal Final; Two-Man Bobsled-Gold
Medal Final.
11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. — Women’s Biathlon-12.5km Mass Start Gold Medal Final; Medals Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
12:35-4:35 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
MSNBC
9 a.m.-noon — Women’s Curling-USA vs. Canada.
4-7p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-USA vs. Canada.
9 p.m.-Midnight— Men’s Ice Hockey-Finland vs. Sweden.
midnight-2:30 a.m. — Women’s Curling-China vs. Canada.
CNBC
2-5 p.m. — Men’s Curling-USA vs. Britain.
7 p.m.-10 p.m. — Women’s Curling-USA vs. Sweden.
Monday, Feb. 22 (Day 11)
NBC
3-5 p.m. — Men’s and Women’s Cross Country-Team Sprints Gold Medal Final
8 p.m.-Midnight — Figure Skating-Dance Gold Medal Final; Men’s Freestyle Skiing-Aerials Competition; Ski Jumping-Team K-120 Large Hill Gold Medal Final.
12:35-2 a.m. — Figure Skating-Dance Gold Medal Final Analysis; Lacies’ Preview; Medals Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
2-5 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
USA
9 a.m.-Noon — Men’s Curling-USA vs. Canada; Women’s Ice Hockey-Semifinal.
CNBC
2 p.m.- 10 p.m. — Women’s Ice Hockey-Semifinal; Men’s Curling-USA vs. China; Women’s Curling-Sweden vs. Canada.
MSNBC
midnight-2:30 a.m. — Men’s Curling-Germany vs. Britain.
Tuesday, Feb. 23 (Day 12)
NBC
3-5 p.m. — Men’s Speedskating-10,000 Gold Medal Final; Women’s Biathlon-4x6km Relay Gold Medal Final ; Women’s Freestyle Skiing-Ski Cross Competition.
8 p.m.-Midnight — Ladies Figure Skating-Short Program; Women’s Bobsled-Competition; Women’s Freestyle Skiing-Ski Cross Gold Medal Final; Nordic Combined-Team Gold Medal Final: K-120 Jumping and 4x5km
Relay.
12:35-2 a.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Elimination Round Game; Ladies Figure Skating-Post Game; Medal Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
2-5 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
USA
9 a.m.-3 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Elimination Round Game; Women’s Curling-USA vs. China.
CNBC
2 p.m.-11:30 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Elimination Round Game; Elimination Round Game; Elimination Round Game; Men’s Curling-China vs. Canada.
MSNBC
7 p.m.-10 p.m. — Women’s Curling-USA vs. Switzerland.
midnight-2:30 a.m. — Women’s Curling-Canada vs. Russia.
Wednesday, Feb. 24 (Day 13)
NBC
3-5 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Quarterfinal.
8-11:30 p.m. — Women’s Freestyle Skiing-Aerials Gold Medal Final; Women’s Bobsled-Gold Medal Final; Men’s Short Track-500 Competition; Women’s Alpine Skating-Giant Slalom Gold Medal Final; Women’s Short
Track-3000 Relay Gold Medal Final; Men’s Cross Country-4x10km Relay Gold Medal Final.
12:05-1:30 a.m. — Women’s Speedskating-5000 Gold Medal Final; Women’s Short Track-1000 Competition; Medal Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
1:30-5 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
MSNBC
2-5 p.m. — Curling-Tiebreaker.
midnight-2:30 a.m. — Curling-Tiebreaker.
CNBC
4 p.m.-11:30 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Quarterfinal
Thursday, Feb. 25 (Day 14)
NBC
3-5 p.m. — Women’s Cross Country-4x5km Relay Gold Medal Final; Ladies Figure Skating-Gold Medal Final Preview.
8 p.m.-Midnight — Ladies Figure Skating-Gold Medal Final; Men’s Freestyle Skiing-Aerials Gold Medal Final; Nordic Combined-Individual Gold Medal Final: K-120 Jumping and 10km Cross-Country.
12:35-2 a.m — Ladies Figure Skating-Gold Medal Final Post Game; Medals Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
2-5 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
USA
9 a.m.-noon — Women’s Curling-Semifinal.
MSNBC
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. — Women’s Ice Hockey-Bronze Medal Game.
3-6 p.m. — Women’s Ice Hockey-Gold Medal Final .
midnight-3 a.m. — Women’s Curling-Semifinal.
CNBC
2-5 p.m. — Men’s Curling-Semifinal.
Friday, Feb. 26 (Day 15)
NBC
3-5 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Semifinal.
8-11:30 p.m. — Men’s Short Track-500 Gold Medal Final; 5000 Relay Gold Medal Final; Women’s Alpine Skiing-Slalom Gold Medal Final; Four-Man Bobsled-Competition.
12:05-1:30 a.m. — Women’s Snowboard-Parallel Giant Slalom Gold Medal Final; Men’s Biathlon-4×7.5km Relay Gold Medal Final; Medals Plaza-Award Ceremonies.
1:30-5 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
USA
9 a.m-noon — Women’s Curling-Bronze Medal Match.
MSNBC
12:30-2:30 p.m. — Men’s Speedskating-Pursuit Semifinals; Women’s Speedskating-Pursuit Quarterfinals.
midnight-2:30 a.m. — Men’s Curling-Semifinal.
CNBC
3 p.m.-9 p.m. — Women’s Curling-Gold Medal Final; Men’s Ice Hockey-Semifinal.
Saturday, Feb. 27 (Day 16)
NBC
1 a.m.-6 p.m. — Women’s Cross Country-30km Mass Start Gold Medal Fina; Men’s and Women’s Speedskating-Pursuit Gold Medal Finals; Men’s Snowboard-Parallel Giant Slalom Qualifying Competition; Men’s
Snowboard-Parallel Giant Slalom Bronze Medal Runs.
8-11 p.m. — Figure Skating-Champions Gala; Men’s Snowboard-Parallel Giant Slalom Gold Medal Final; Men’s Alpine Skiing-Slalom Gold Medal Final; Four-Man Bobsled-Gold Medal Final.
1:30-4 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
USA
9 a.m.-Noon— Men’s Curling-Bronze Medal Match.
CNBC
3-6 p.m. — Men’s Curling-Gold Medal Final.
MSNBC
7p.m.-9:30 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Bronze Medal Game
noon-3 a.m. — Men’s Curling-Gold Medal Final.
Sunday, Feb. 28 (Day 17)
NBC
Noon-6 p.m. — Men’s Ice Hockey-Gold Medal Final; Men’s Cross Country-50km Gold Medal Final.
7-10:30 p.m. — Closing Ceremony
11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. — Vancouver Closing Party.
12:35-3:30 a.m. — Primetime Replay.
MSNBC
6 a.m.-Noon — Figure Skating-Champions Gala; Figure Skating-The Medalists
Universal Sports
Daily Programming
11 a.m.-noon— “The Vancouver Figure Skating Hour” — A look back and ahead to primetime figure skating, detailing key athletes, competitions and storylines. Includes continuing news updates and live results ticker.
7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Live Olympic news updates with a news ticker providing round-the-clock results
