As the excitement for the 2024 Olympics in Paris builds up, citizens of every country around the globe are eager to catch every moment of the games. As sports enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the opening ceremony, there’s an undeniable sense of camaraderie and inspiration in the air.
Figuring out how to watch all your favorite events can be challenging, though. For starters, the broadcaster will vary from country to country. Although the Olympic’s official website has published a comprehensive list of Official Olympic Media Rights Holders, the best way to access their content will depend on existing subcontracts to streaming platforms along with your personal preferences. In the U.S., there’s a vast array of streaming options available, but not all of them are contractually authorized to show the Games. To make matters more complicated, prominent illegal streaming sites may pose as legitimate avenues to access the event. At StreamSafely, we prioritize online safety, offering viewers reliable resources to enjoy your favorite events without compromising your security or breaking the law.
Below is a full breakdown of how to watch the 2024 Olympics. Join us as we cheer on our nation’s best athletes as they go for the gold.
Dates and Time Differences
The games are scheduled to take place from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, August 11. The Olympic torch has already been lit and is making its way from Olympia, Greece, to Paris for the Opening Ceremony. As you gear up for the games, you can follow the relay on the Olympics’ official webpage and watch the replay of the torch making landfall in France here.
For the complete schedule of events and competitions, refer to the official Olympic calendar.
However, bear in mind that all the times listed on the official site use the local time in Paris, which is Central European Daylight Time. This means there’s a six-hour time difference for viewers on the East Coast, seven for Central, eight for Mountain, and nine for Pacific Time and Arizona (note that the Navajo Nation will be in Mountain Time). Viewers in Alaska should anticipate a 10-hour time difference, and Hawaii will experience a full 12-hour time difference since the state does not participate in Daylight Saving Time.
Channels and Streaming Options
In the United States, the only authorized Official Olympic Media Rights Holders is NBC. The streaming platform Peacock is NBC’s streaming service, but there are a variety of ways to access NBC’s live sports, so you can choose which option works best for you.
Cable
As far as the television and entertainment industry goes, few things are more tried and true than cable. Cable subscriptions offer reliability and consistency, eliminating the uncertainty that can sometimes accompany other options or unauthorized sites, particularly during high-demand events like the Olympics. Additionally, cable packages often come with DVR capabilities, allowing you to record the live events and watch them later at your convenience, which could be perfect if you have a busy schedule or live in a time zone that doesn’t align well with Paris.
Whether you already have cable or are looking to get it, confirm that your package includes NBC to get full, live coverage and complete access to the Olympics. You can also use your cable, satellite, or TV credentials to sign into NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, or the NBC Sports app and watch the Olympics online.
Streaming
Streaming platforms eliminate the need for long-term commitments and can bring the Paris 2024 Olympics right into your home on virtually any device, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. Peacock is the official streaming platform of NBC and the sole Official Olympic Media Rights Holder in the United States. That means it could be the perfect option to stream every moment of the Games. NBC and its live coverage can also be found bundled into other platforms. For those looking for a broader viewing experience in addition to the Olympics, be sure to weigh all the flexible pricing plans and free trial options to choose the option that best suits your needs.
Peacock
Peacock is NBC’s official streaming platform and is proclaimed to be the most comprehensive streaming destination for the Olympic Games ever. The platform is introducing all-new features for the Paris Olympics, including the Peacock Discovery Multiview experience, which allows users to:
- Watch up to four events at the same time on one screen
- Browse and search features that facilitate seamless access to your favorite athletes and sports
- Access Peacock Live Actions, which prompts viewers toward the most exciting moments as they happen
Peacock is available for as low as $5.99 per month and includes hit movies, shows, and over 50 channels in addition to the Olympics. The ad-free version, Premium Plus, can be accessed for $11.99 per month.
Hulu + Live TV
With over 95 channels including NBC, Hulu + Live TV could be a great choice to augment your streaming experience and gain access to the Olympics at the same time. The service comes with Disney+ and ESPN+ included, so you’ll have plenty of content to keep you entertained in between your favorite events and well after the final medal has been awarded. The subscription is $76.99 per month and typically offers a free trial.
Fubo
Famously offering “no contracts, no commitments,” Fubo is a premium way to enjoy the 2024 Summer Olympics. The platform offers up to a whopping 218 channels, including NBC, and 1,000 hours of DVR space so that you don’t have to be on Paris time to enjoy the action of your favorite sports. The Pro Plan starts at $79.99 per month. Viewers can upgrade to 4K with the Elite Plan for $89.99 per month or add on Paramount+ With Showtime by opting for the Premier Plan at $99.99 per month. Fubo also offers a Latino package for $32.99 for Spanish-language content. No matter the plan, you can test the waters with a free trial.
YouTubeTV
YouTube TV is an excellent choice to view this year’s Olympics. The platform frequently offers discounts for new subscribers and has currently reduced the monthly price from $72.99 to $57.99 for the first three months. Each subscription can come with up to six individual accounts, each with unlimited DVR, and over 100 channels. The platform also offers a free, seven-day trial.
DIRECTV STREAM
Starting as low as $79.99, DIRECTV STREAM gives monthly subscribers access to CNBC and USA Network, which, as NBC subsidiaries, will have some coverage of the Olympic Games. Currently, both the CHOICE + SPORTS PACK and ULTIMATE + SPORTS PACK are offering $44.99 of the first three months for new subscribers. If you can’t decide on a package, take advantage of the free trial and get a feel for what each plan has to offer.
Events, Olympians, and Their Stories
With a lineup of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, Team USA is poised to make a splash across various events. Perhaps the most famous U.S. Olympian of this generation is gymnast Simone Biles who is expected to make Paris her third Olympic Games. Biles competed in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and the 2020 Games in Tokyo and has four Olympic gold medals to her name, one silver, and two bronze.
NBA superstars LeBron James and Steph Curry are also expected to compete. Although James has taken the Olympic stage before in 2004, 2008, and 2012 and collected two gold medals along the way, this will be an Olympic first for Curry.
Returning to the pool is Caeleb Dressel who shocked audiences far and wide in the 2020 Games by breaking two world records: 100-meter individual medley, a race that uses all four of the competitive strokes: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, and the 50-meter butterfly. Dressel also competed in the 2016 Summer Games and holds seven gold medals between the two Olympic Games.
Key Storylines for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics
With a lineup of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, Team USA is poised to make a splash across various events.
Unprecedented Talent in Gymnastics
Team USA enters the Paris Olympics with a star-studded gymnastics lineup, featuring multiple former all-around champions: Simone Biles and Suni Lee. With multiple world and Olympic medals among them, their participation could lead to another dominant performance from Team USA. Additionally, the team sees the potential return of Tokyo medalists Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles, alongside rising star Shilese Jones, setting the stage for fierce competition.
A New Era in Soccer
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) will kick off a new era under new coach Emma Hayes, with a younger squad led by Sophia Smith and Naomi Girma following the departures of veterans like Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe. Meanwhile, the Men’s National Team marks its Olympic return after 16 years, promising a showcase of emerging talents, including the promising Benjamin Cremaschi, amid competing priorities with Copa America.
Swimming’s Next Generation
While swimming legends like Katie Ledecky continue to set the pace, a youth movement is poised to make waves in Paris. Katie Grimes, at just 17, and other young talents like Thomas Heilman and Jack Alexy are emerging as the new faces of U.S. swimming, aiming to uphold America’s dominance in the pool.
Track and Field: Chasing History
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, shifting focus from the 400-meter hurdles to the flat 400, remains a key figure in U.S. track and field, alongside Noah Lyles, who aims to compete in both the 100m and 200m sprints. Their performances could define an exciting chapter for Team USA, which looks to rebound from a subdued showing in Tokyo.
Breakthroughs and Returns in Team Sports and More
Beyond individual sports, Team USA’s participation in team events and other sports like basketball feature significant narratives. The men’s basketball team faces tough competition, potentially against a French team bolstered by NBA MVP Joel Embiid. Additionally, the Olympics will witness the absence of longstanding icons like Sue Bird in basketball, setting a stage for new legends to rise.
As Paris 2024 approaches, these storylines not only highlight the potential for historic performances but also the dawn of new eras across various sports disciplines for Team USA.
U.S. Results From the Last Summer Olympics
Although the COVID-19 pandemic put the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games on hold, they were eventually held in 2021, with Team USA sweeping the medal table. American athletes took home more gold medals than any other country, winning 39 golds to China’s 38. They also received more silver and bronze medals than any other nation. Winning 113 medals total, Team USA won 24 total medals more than the runner up, China, and 42 more than the Russian Olympic Committee.
You can see the full list of American medalists on the Olympics’ official website.
Watch the Olympics Responsibly With StreamSafely
As the countdown to the 2024 Olympics begins and the Olympic flame moves ever closer to Paris, we want to make sure you’re prepared to watch the games legally and safely. By adhering to legal streaming options, you can support the integrity of the Olympics and ensure that athletes receive the recognition and support they deserve.
In the meantime, learn how to safely watch your favorite sports. We pride ourselves in delivering legal and free options for sports, TV shows, and movies so you can stay engaged with your favorite content during the run up to the Paris Games and long after the last gold medal has been awarded.
