Some of the most memorable moments of the Olympic Games happen at the very beginning. That’s when the host country brings the house down with the opening ceremony—a spectacle that honors culture and celebrates unity.
Paris takes center stage this summer as France hosts the 2024 Summer Olympics. As usual, NBC will be on-site to transmit the entire program to U.S. viewers. And spoiler alert: France is planning an ambitious opening ceremony set on the iconic Seine River.
Organizers are keeping details under wraps, but we know Aya Nakamura, Céline Dion, and Lady Gaga will likely perform during the opening ceremony. With music icons like that, you won’t want to miss a thing!
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What channels show the Olympics opening ceremony?
Pro tip: Live screenings of the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony will be held at IMAX locations nationwide on Friday, July 26. AMC Theaters will also host Olympic watch parties throughout the Summer Games.
When is the Olympics opening ceremony?
The 2024 opening ceremony will take place on Friday, July 26, at 1:30 p.m. ET and last around four hours. NBC and Peacock coverage will begin at noon ET, while Telemundo’s broadcast will start at 1:00 p.m. ET.
A primetime presentation will also play on NBC and Peacock starting at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT. Filmmaker Steven Spielberg will introduce the primetime broadcast in a four-minute film titled Land of Stories.
Best TV plans for watching the Olympics opening ceremony
Choosing the ideal TV plan for opening ceremony coverage depends on your viewing preferences and setup. Whether you prefer traditional cable or streaming, here are three reliable options:
- Over the air: A simple over-the-air (OTA) antenna will get you access to the complete opening ceremony as long as you live within range of an NBC or Telemundo station. Check out our Watch for Free section to learn more.
- Streaming: Peacock is hands down the best streaming service for watching the Summer Olympics. With live and on-demand coverage of the opening ceremony and every event at the Paris Games, it’s your one-stop destination for all things Olympics.
- Cable or satellite TV: If robust streaming speeds aren’t available in your area, we recommend DIRECTV, which is available nationwide and offers every NBCUniversal channel.
Any TV provider with live local channels will show the opening ceremony. Below is a list of 13 popular providers and whether they carry NBC and Telemundo.
| Provider | Price | NBC | Telemundo | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $61.00–$152.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | $84.99–$114.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $32.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $76.99–$89.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $35.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $28.00/mo. | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔ | — |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $39.99–$74.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $85.00–$129.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Channel availability may vary based on location and plan type.
How can I watch the Olympics opening ceremony for free?
One way to watch the opening ceremony for free is by picking up NBC or Telemundo over the air using a digital antenna. You can check if either channel is available in your city by entering your zip code in the FCC’s Reception Map Tool. If successful, head to our Best OTA Antennas page to browse our top antenna recommendations.
Another free viewing method is to sign up for a live TV streaming trial. Fubo offers a seven-day free trial, which can be handy for watching Olympic events on NBCUniversal channels.
How to watch the Olympic opening ceremony FAQ
Can I watch the opening ceremony on Peacock?
Yes, the Olympics opening ceremony will stream live on Peacock. The streaming service will also carry an on-demand replay of the ceremony after it ends.
What is the route for the 2024 Paris opening ceremony?
The opening ceremony for the 2024 Paris Games will feature a Seine River parade route starting from Pont d’Austerlitz and ending at Pont d’Iéna. After reaching Pont d’Iéna, the ceremony’s epic finale will occur at the nearby Trocadéro.
Who is announcing the Olympics opening ceremony?
Mike Tirico, Peyton Manning, and Kelly Clarkson will host NBC’s broadcast of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Today hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb will also provide commentary along the parade route.
Telemundo’s opening ceremony presentation will feature hosts Jessica Carrillo and Miguel Gurwitz with Noticias Telemundo’s Julio Vaqueiro commenting from the River Seine.
Who is the creative director of the opening ceremony?
Thomas Jolly is the artistic director of the Olympics opening and closing ceremonies. He’s also in charge of both ceremonies for the 2024 Summer Paralympics.
What is the purpose of the opening ceremony?
The purpose of the Summer Olympics’ opening ceremony is to celebrate and honor the Games’ legacy. Rule 55 of the Olympic Charter requires the ceremony to include specific criteria, such as the parade of athletes, Olympic flag raising, and Olympic flame lightning.
Why you should trust us
Our sports experts researched NBCUniversal’s Olympics opening ceremony broadcast plan. With that information, we compiled a list of popular TV providers and cross-referenced our existing TV coverage to determine the best services for tuning in. We also tested Peacock across multiple streaming devices for additional insights.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
