NBC’s “Today” show begins broadcasting from Vancouver next week for the XXI Winter Olympics.
Matt Lauer will be in Vancouver starting Tuesday — he’s in the torch relay Thursday — with Natalie Morales in Whistler. Meredith Vieira, Al Roker, and Ann Curry join on Friday live from Grouse Mountain.
The following two weeks will feature full Olympic reporting/interviews during live 4amPT broadcasts. Picabo Street and Kristi Yamaguchi are set to serve as special correspondents for the program.
This is the seventh Olympics to which “Today” has traveled. NBC is presenting 835+ hours of Winter Games coverage, more than the last two combined.
Press release after the jump.
‘TODAY’ IN VANCOUVER
America’s No. 1 Morning Program Broadcasts Live from Grouse Mountain in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games
“Today” in Vancouver Begins Tuesday, February 9
NEW YORK – February 4, 2010 – – America’s favorite morning program will bid farewell to Studio 1A in New York, and once again bring the excitement of the Olympic Winter Games to viewers at home. Matt, Meredith, Al, Ann and Natalie will travel north of the border to Vancouver for XXI Olympic Winter Games. The Vancouver Winter Olympics marks the seventh Olympic Games the "Today" show has traveled to and covered.
Before the start of the Olympics, "Today" will countdown to the Games from the heart of the action. Matt Lauer will broadcast live from Vancouver beginning Tuesday, February 9 with Natalie Morales reporting live from Whistler. "Today" will introduce viewers to the athletes-to-watch, while also taking a look at the Olympic venues and the tremendous preparations underway. Additionally, Lauer will be participating in the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday, February 11, carrying the flame through the town of Burnaby, British Columbia.
On Friday, February 12, Meredith Vieira, Al Roker and Ann Curry will join Lauer and Morales to kick off their Olympic coverage atop Grouse Mountain, where "Today" will call home for the duration of the Games. During this special edition of the program, the "Today" anchor team will preview the Opening Ceremony, look ahead to the start of the Winter Olympics, and showcase their new mountainside location. Special athlete guests include Jeret "Speedy" Peterson and Emily Cook, and Canadian-born crooner Michael Bublé will perform a special mountaintop concert.
Beginning Monday, February 15, "Today" will begin two weeks of in-depth news coverage of the Winter Olympics with the latest on the events, and previews of the upcoming action. America’s first TV family will give viewers an all-access pass to everything Olympic, going behind-the-scenes and profiling the outstanding competitors that make up Team USA. They will interview athletes including Apolo Ohno, Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White, Evan Lysacek, Lindsey Jacobellis and many others as they go for the gold, and they will also take a look at the competition the U.S. athletes will be facing.
Additionally, Olympic gold medalists Picabo Street and Kristi Yamaguchi will serve as "Today" special correspondents providing expert commentary and analysis of the Games. NBC News’ Lester Holt will anchor special split editions of “Weekend Today” from Grouse Mountain.
"Today" will also explore the beautiful city of Vancouver, and introduce viewers to the unique culture, society and cuisine surrounding the Winter Olympics. "Today" correspondent Jenna Bush Hager will contribute human-interest stories and reports to the program throughout the Winter Olympic Games. "Today’s" Sarah Haines will give Kathie Lee and Hoda the daily Olympic dish from Grouse Mountain for the fourth hour. In addition, "Today" style editor Bobbie Thomas will showcase the hottest cold-weather Olympic fashions and winter trends.
Vancouver.TODAYshow.com will feature the most up-to-date news as well as compelling slideshows and exclusive behind-the-scenes video of the Winter Olympics. Viewers can also visit the site to participate in live votes, connect with the show on Twitter and Facebook, and get the latest medal count.
"Today’s" exclusive set and Olympic home will be located on breathtaking Grouse Mountain overlooking Vancouver. Grouse Mountain, which boasts an 82-year history, is a four-season recreation destination, and "Today" will broadcast live from the top of the mountain for the duration of the Winter Olympics. Located 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, the mountain will remain open 24 hours a day during the Olympics offering snow sports and alpine recreation, including night skiing, to all visitors. "Today" fans are encouraged to visit Grouse Mountain each day to watch the live broadcast and to get a chance to meet the Olympic athletes as well as the show anchors. "Today" will broadcast live each morning at 4 a.m. local time.
NBC Universal will present more than 835 hours of Vancouver Olympic Winter Games coverage – representing the most total hours ever for a Winter Olympics, more than the last two Winter Olympics combined, and the most live hours ever for a Winter Games. The Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, which will be the first Winter Olympics to be presented entirely in high definition, commence with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, Feb. 12. The more than 835 total hours of coverage on six NBC Universal platforms – NBC, USA, MSNBC, CNBC and Universal HD, as well as NBCOlympics.com – nearly doubles the coverage from Torino (419) and is more than Torino and Salt Lake City (375.5) combined (794.5).
Jim Bell is the executive producer of "Today" (Mon.- Fri., 7 – 11 a.m.). Don Nash is the senior broadcast producer overseeing "Today’s" Olympic coverage and Mary Alice O’Rourke is the senior producer.