We interrupt your fall season to bring you the following NBC Sports presentation:
Live — on tape — it’s the 2000 Summer Olympics!
The 2000-01 television season has been temporarily postponed because the Olympics is running right in the middle of the month. Do you blame the other networks for not wanting to see their precious new series wiped out by gymnastics, swimming and basketball?
A few shows will premiere during the next few weeks, and some networks will try to blunt coverage with stunt programming, but the new season officially beings Oct. 2, after the last night of the Olympics.
NBC, which locked up five straight Summer and Winter Games for more than $3.5 billion, has 1621/2 hours of matches from Friday through Oct. 1, almost 85 of those hours in prime time. Cable sisters CNBC and MSNBC will chip in another 279 hours for hardcore fans.
“We refer to these Olympics as the `Complete Olympics,”‘ said NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol. “The difference in coverage from anything that’s ever preceded it, either here at NBC or on any network, is staggering.”
What keeps it from being totally staggering is the games are tape-delayed from Sydney, Australia, a 16-hour difference from Chicago.
Bob Costas, who does stellar work in these arenas, is NBC’s lead anchor. “The Today Show’s” Katie Couric joins Costas for Friday’s opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. on WMAQ-Ch. 5.
Jim Lampley is the anchor for MSNBC, while Pat O’Brien handles the same chores for CNBC.
For those of you wondering when the synchronized swimming events take place, check out the schedule that follows. And let the couch potato vegetation begin!
TELEVISION SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Sept. 13
5:30-8 p.m. (MSNBC)
Soccer USA Men vs. Czech Republic.
Thursday, Sept. 14
5:30-8 p.m. (MSNBC)
Soccer USA Women vs. Norway.
Friday, Sept. 15
6:30-11 p.m. (NBC)
Opening Ceremony Coverage includes the parade of nations and the lighting of the Olympic flame. Hosts Bob Costas and Katie Couric. From Olympic Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
Saturday, Sept. 16
9 a.m.-3 p.m. (MSNBC)
Beach Volleyball Women’s Eliminations.
Soccer USA Men vs. Cameroon.
Water Polo Women’s Preliminaries.
3-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing Elimination Bouts. Bantamweight (54kg), welterweight (67kg).
3:30-5 p.m. (NBC)
Swimming Qualifying Heats. Men’s 400m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 4x100m freestyle relay; women’s 100m butterfly, 400m individual medley, 4x100m freestyle relay.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Gymnastics Men’s Team Qualifying.
Swimming Finals. Men’s 400m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay; women’s 400m individual medley, 4x100m freestyle relay.
Triathlon Women’s Competition.
Weightlifting Men’s Flyweight (56k) Final.
11:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m. (NBC)
Basketball USA Women vs. Korea.
Volleyball USA Women’s Game.
Sunday, Sept. 17
8 a.m.-3 p.m. (MSNBC)
Baseball USA vs. Japan.
Equestrian Team Three-Day Event Dressage.
Soccer USA Women vs. China.
Softball Canada vs. USA.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. (NBC)
Basketball USA Men vs. China.
Beach Volleyball Men’s Eliminations.
Canoe/Kayak Whitewater Qualifying.
Swimming Qualifying Heats. Men’s 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 400m individual medley; women’s 100m backstroke, 100m breaststroke, 400m freestyle.
3-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing Elimination Bouts. Light flyweight (48kg), lightweight (60kg).
Cycling Track Finals. Men’s individual pursuit, sprint.
Water Polo Women’s Preliminaries.
Weightlifting Women’s 48kg Final.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Gymnastics Women’s Team Qualifying.
Swimming Finals. Men’s 100m breaststroke, 400m individual medley; women’s 100m butterfly, 400m freestyle.
Triathlon Men’s Competition.
11:30 p.m.- 1 a.m. (NBC)
Volleyball USA Men’s Game.
Monday, Sept. 18
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (MSNBC)
Basketball USA Women vs. Cuba.
Softball USA vs. Cuba.
Water Polo Women’s Preliminaries.
9-11 a.m. (NBC)
Rowing Men’s and Women’s Heats.
Swimming Qualifying Heats. Men’s 200m butterfly; women’s 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley.
4-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing Elimination Bouts. Featherweight (57kg), middleweight (75kg).
Weightlifting Women’s 58kg Final.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Equestrian Team Three Day Event. Cross country.
Gymnastics Men’s Team Final.
Rowing Men’s and Women’s Eights Heats.
Swimming Finals. Men’s 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke; women’s 100m backstroke, 100m breaststroke.
11:35 p.m.-1:05 a.m. (NBC)
Volleyball Women’s Preliminaries
Tuesday, Sept. 19
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (MSNBC)
Archery Women’s Individual Final.
Soccer USA Men vs. Kuwait.
Softball USA vs. Japan.
9-11 a.m. (NBC)
Rowing Men’s and Women’s Repechages.
Swimming Qualifying Heats. Men’s 100m freestyle, 200m breaststroke, 4x200m freestyle relay; women’s 200m butterfly.
4-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing Elimination Bouts. Flyweight (51kg), light middleweight (71kg).
Cycling Track Final. Men’s team pursuit.
Tennis Men’s and Women’s Singles, First Round.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Equestrian Team Three Day Event. Jumping.
Gymnastics Women’s Team Final.
Swimming Finals. Men’s 200m butterfly, 4x200m freestyle relay; women’s 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley.
11:35p.m.-1:05 a.m. (NBC)
Basketball USA Men vs. Italy.
Wednesday, Sept. 20
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (MSNBC)
Archery Men’s Individual Final.
Soccer USA Women vs. Nigeria.
Tennis Men’s and Women’s Singles, First Round.
9-11 a.m. (NBC)
Rowing Men’s and Women’s Repechages.
Swimming Qualifying Heats. Men’s 200m backstroke, 200m individual medley; women’s 100m freestyle, 200m breaststroke, 4x200m freestyle relay.
4-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Softball USA vs. China.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Basketball USA Women vs. Russia.
Gymnastics Men’s Individual All-Around Final.
Swimming Finals. Men’s 100m freestyle, 200m breaststroke; women’s 200m butterfly, 4x200m freestyle relay.
11:35 p.m.-1:05 a.m. (NBC)
Cycling Track Finals. Men’s and women’s sprints.
Volleyball USA Women’s Game.
Thursday, Sept. 21
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (MSNBC)
Archery Women’s Team Final.
Beach Volleyball Women’s Eliminations.
Cycling Track Finals.
Softball USA vs. Australia.
Tennis Men’s and Women’s Singles, Second Round.
9-11 a.m. (NBC)
Rowing Men’s and Women’s Semifinals.
Swimming Qualifying Heats. Men’s 50m freestyle, 100m butterfly; women’s 800m freestyle, 200m backstroke.
4-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Basketball USA Men vs. Lithuania.
Boxing Elimination Bouts. Bantamweight (54kg), welterweight (67kg), heavyweight (91kg).
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Equestrian Individual Three-Day Event. Cross country.
Gymnastics Women’s Individual All-Around Final.
Swimming Finals. Men’s 200m backstroke, 200m individual medley; women’s 100m freestyle, 200m breaststroke.
11:35 p.m.-1:05 a.m. (NBC)
Basketball USA Men vs. Lithuania.
Friday, Sept. 22
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (MSNBC)
Beach Volleyball Men’s Eliminations.
Rowing Men’s and Women’s Semifinals and Classifications.
Weightlifting Women’s Super Heavyweight Final.
9-11 a.m. (NBC)
Swimming Qualifying Heats. Men’s 1,500m freestyle, 4x100m medley relay; women’s 50m freestyle, 4x100m medley relay.
Track and Field Preliminary Heats.
4-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing Elimination Bouts. Light flyweight (48kg), lightweight (60kg), middleweight (75kg).
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Diving Women’s Platform Preliminaries.
Gymnastics Women’s Trampoline Final.
Swimming Finals. Men’s 50m freestyle, 100m butterfly; women’s 200m backstroke, 800m freestyle.
Track and Field Preliminaries and Finals. Finals: men’s shot put, 20k walk.
11:35 p.m.-1:05 a.m. (NBC)
Volleyball Women’s Preliminaries.
Weightlifting Men’s 77kg Final.
Saturday, Sept. 23
8 a.m.-3 p.m. (MSNBC)
Baseball USA vs. Cuba.
Soccer Men’s Quarterfinals.
Softball USA vs. Italy.
Water Polo Women’s Final.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. (NBC)
Basketball USA Men vs. New Zealand.
Beach Volleyball Women’s Quarterfinals, Semifinals.
Diving Women’s 3m Springboard Synchronized Final.
Gymnastics Men’s Trampoline Final.
Rowing Men’s and Women’s Finals.
Track and Field Preliminary Heats.
3-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing Elimination Bouts. Featherweight (57kg), light middleweight (71kg), super heavyweight (+91kg).
Soccer Men’s Quarterfinals.
Water Polo Men’s Preliminaries.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Cycling Women’s Mountain Bike. Cross country.
Diving Men’s 10m Platform Synchronized Final.
Swimming Finals. Men’s 1,500m freestyle, 4x100m medley relay; women’s 50m freestyle, 4x100m medley relay.
Track and Field Finals. Men’s 100m, javelin; women’s 100m, heptathlon (day one).
11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. (NBC)
Volleyball USA Men’s Game.
Sunday, Sept. 24
8 a.m.-3 p.m. (MSNBC)
Baseball USA. vs. Australia
Basketball USA Women vs. Poland.
Beach Volleyball Men’s Quarterfinals, Semifinals.
Volleyball Women’s Preliminaries.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. (NBC)
Diving Women’s 10m Platform Preliminaries.
Rowing Men’s and Women’s Finals.
Soccer Women’s Semifinals.
Synchronized Swimming Duet, Technical Routine.
Track and Field Women’s Marathon.
3-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing Elimination Bouts. Flyweight (51kg), light welterweight (63.5kg), light heavyweight (81kg).
Soccer Women’s Semifinals.
Tennis Men’s Singles, Third Round; Women’s Singles Quarterfinals.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Diving Women’s 10m Platform Final.
Gymnastics Individual Event Finals. Men’s floor exercise, pommel horse, rings; women’s vault, uneven bars.
Rowing Men’s and Women’s Eights Finals.
Track and Field Finals. Men’s high jump, hammer throw; women’s triple jump, heptathlon (day two).
11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. (NBC)
Cycling Men’s Mountain Bike. Cross country.
Weightlifting Men’s 94kg Final.
Monday, Sept. 25
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (MSNBC)
Equestrian Individual Jumping Qualifying.
Softball Semifinals.
Tennis Men’s Singles, Quarterfinals and Women’s Singles, Semifinals.
Water Polo Men’s Preliminaries.
9-11 a.m. (NBC)
Beach Volleyball Women’s Final and Third-Place Matches.
Track and Field Preliminary Heats.
4-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Basketball USA Men vs. France.
Weightlifting Men’s 105kg Final.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Diving Men’s 3m Springboard Preliminaries.
Gymnastics Individual Event Finals. Men’s vault, parallel bars, high bar; women’s balance beam, floor exercise.
Track and Field Finals. Men’s discus, triple jump, 110m hurdles, 400m, 10,000m; women’s pole vault, 400m, 800m, 5,000m.
11:35 p.m.-1:05 a.m. (NBC)
Track and Field Semifinals and Finals.
Tuesday, Sept. 26
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (MSNBC)
Baseball Semifinals.
Beach Volleyball Men’s Final.
Soccer Men’s Semifinals.
Tennis Men’s Singles, Semifinals.
Volleyball Women’s Quarterfinals.
9-11 a.m. (NBC)
Softball Final.
4-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing Quarterfinal Bouts. Light flyweight (48kg), bantamweight (54kg), lightweight (60kg), welterweight (67kg), middleweight (75kg), heavyweight (91kg).
Soccer Men’s Semifinals.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Cycling Women’s Road Race.
Diving Men’s 3m Springboard Final.
Gymnastics Champions Gala Exhibition.
Synchronized Swimming Duet, Free Routine Final.
Weightlifting Men’s Super Heavyweight Final.
11:35 p.m.-1:05 a.m. (NBC)
Water Polo Men’s Preliminaries.
Wrestling Greco-Roman Finals. Weight classes: 54kg, 63kg, 76kg, 97kg.
Wednesday, Sept. 27
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (MSNBC)
Baseball Final.
Equestrian Team Dressage Grand Prix.
Tennis Women’s Singles Final.
9-11 a.m. (NBC)
Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Heats. Men’s and women’s 500m.
Diving Women’s 3m Springboard Preliminaries.
Track and Field Preliminaries.
4-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing Quarterfinal Bouts. Flyweight (51kg), featherweight (57kg), light welterweight (63.5kg), light middleweight (71kg), light heavyweight (81kg), super heavyweight (+91kg).
Tennis Men’s Doubles Final.
Water Polo Men’s Preliminaries.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Cycling Men’s Road Race.
Diving Women’s 3m Springboard Semifinals.
Track and Field Finals. Men’s 400m hurdles, 800m, decathlon (day one); women’s 100m hurdles, discus, 400m hurdles.
11:35 p.m.-1:05 a.m. (NBC)
Basketball Women’s Quarterfinals.
Boxing Quarterfinal Bouts. Flyweight (51kg), featherweight (57kg), light welterweight (63.5kg), light middleweight (71kg), light heavyweight (81kg), super heavyweight (+91kg).
Wrestling Greco-Roman Finals. Weight classes: 58kg, 69kg, 85kg, 130kg.
Thursday, Sept. 28
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (MSNBC)
Rhythmic Gymnastics Qualifications. Individual all-around and group.
Soccer Women’s Final.
Tennis Men’s Singles Final.
9-11 a.m. (NBC)
Diving Synchronized Finals. Men’s 3m springboard; women’s 10m platform.
Track and Field Preliminary Heats.
4-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing Semifinal Bouts. Light flyweight (48kg), bantamweight (54kg), lightweight (60kg), welterweight (67kg), middleweight (75kg), heavyweight (91kg).
Tennis Women’s Doubles Final.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Diving Women’s 3m Springboard Final.
Equestrian Team Jumping Final.
Synchronized Swimming Team Technical Routine.
Track and Field Finals. Men’s 200m, long jump, decathlon (day two); women’s 200m, shot put, 20k walk.
11:35p.m.-1:05 a.m. (NBC)
Basketball Men’s Quarterfinals.
Track and Field
Friday, Sept. 29
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (MSNBC)
Basketball Men’s and Women’s Semifinals.
Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Semifinals. Men’s K-1 500m, C-1 500m, K-2 500m, C-2 500m; women’s K-1 500m, K-2 500m.
Water Polo Men’s Quarterfinals.
9-11 a.m. (NBC)
Diving Men’s 10m Platform Preliminaries.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Individual All-Around Qualifications.
Track and Field Preliminary Heats.
4-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing Semifinal Bouts. Flyweight (51kg), featherweight (57kg), light welterweight (63.5kg), light middleweight (71kg), light heavyweight (81kg), super heavyweight (+91kg).
Field Hockey Women’s Final.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Basketball Men’s Semifinals.
Diving Men’s Platform Semifinals.
Synchronized Swimming Team Free Routine Final.
Track and Field Finals. Men’s 1,500m, 3,000m steeplechase, pole vault, 50k walk; women’s long jump, hammer throw.
11:35 p.m.-1:05 a.m. (NBC)
Basketball Women’s Semifinals.
Wrestling Freestyle Semifinals. Weight classes: 54kg, 63kg, 76kg, 97kg.
Saturday, Sept. 30
9 a.m.-3 p.m. (MSNBC)
Soccer Men’s Final.
Water Polo Men’s Semifinals.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. (NBC)
Basketball Women’s Final.
Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Finals. Men’s K-1 1000m, C-1 1000m, K-2 1000m, C-2 1000m, K-4 1000m; women’s K-4 500m.
Cycling Women’s Individual Time Trial.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Group Competition Final.
Volleyball Women’s Final.
Wrestling Freestyle Finals. Weight classes: 54kg, 63kg, 76kg, 97kg.
3-8 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing Final Bouts. Light flyweight (48kg), bantamweight (54kg), lightweight (60kg), welterweight (67kg), middleweight (75kg), heavyweight (91kg).
Water Polo Men’s Semifinals.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Cycling Men’s Individual Time Trial.
Diving Men’s 10m Platform Final.
Track and Field Finals. Men’s 5,000m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay; women’s 1,500m, 10,000m, high jump, javelin, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay.
11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. (NBC)
Wrestling Freestyle Finals. Weight classes: 54kg, 63kg, 76kg, 97kg.
Sunday, Oct. 1
7-10 a.m. (MSNBC)
Handball Women’s Gold-Medal Game.
Water Polo Men’s Final and Third-Place Games.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. (NBC)
Basketball Men’s Final.
Boxing Final Bouts. Flyweight (51kg), featherweight (57kg), light welterweight (63.5kg), light middleweight (71kg), light heavyweight (81kg), super heavyweight (+91kg).
Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Finals. Men’s K-1 500m, C-1 500m, K-2 500m, C-2 500m; women’s K-1 500m, K-2 500m.
Equestrian Individual Jumping Final.
Volleyball Men’s Final.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Individual All-Around Final.
Wrestling Freestyle Finals. Weight classes: 58kg, 69kg, 85kg, 130kg.
6-11 p.m. (NBC)
Track and Field Men’s Marathon.
Closing Ceremony From Olympic Stadium in Sydney.
