We may be a year late, but the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are nearly here. After a 12-month delay due to the pandemic, the famous sporting event will be taking place in Japan. The Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 are kicking off on the 23rd of July! Here you´ll find broadcasting television channels, streaming services, and broadcasting times for the US and UK.
US TV and streaming
Broadcast TV
The broadcaster that holds the rights to the Olympics in the US is NBCUniversal. This means that the games will air on local NBC channels (available on cable TV packages), as well as other NBCUniversal channels like NBCSN.
If you don’t have a TV, then never fear. You can still stream the Olympics online.
Online
NBCUniversal also owns the streaming platform Peacock. Subscribers will be able to tune into new daily live shows, original programming, Olympics channels, full event replays and curated highlights of NBC Olympics’ coverage, according to NBC.
Schedule US (EDT)
Saturday, July 24
• Dressage Grand Prix Team and Individual Day 1
Starts at 4am EDT
Sunday, July 25
• Dressage Grand Prix Team and Individual Day 2
Starts at 4am EDT
Tuesday, July 27
• Dressage Team Grand Prix Special
• Dressage Team Victory Ceremony
Starts at 4am EDT
Wednesday, July 28
• Dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle
• Dressage Individual Victory Ceremony
Starts at 4:30am EDT
Thursday, July 29
• Eventing Dressage Team and Individual Day 1 – Session 1
Starts at 7:30pm EDT
Friday, July 30
• Eventing Dressage Team and Individual Day 1 – Session 2
Starts at 4:30am EDT
• Eventing Dressage Team and Individual Day 2 – Session 3
Starts at 7:30pm EDT
Saturday, July 31
• Eventing Cross Country Team and Individual
Starts at 6:45pm EDT
Monday, August 2
• Eventing Jumping Team Final and Individual Qualifier
• Eventing Jumping Individual Final
• Eventing Team Victory Ceremony
• Eventing Individual Victory Ceremony
Starts at 4am EDT
Tuesday, August 3
• Jumping Individual Qualifier
Starts at 6am EDT
Wednesday, August 4
• Jumping Individual Final
• Jumping Individual Victory Ceremony
Starts at 6am EDT
Friday, August 6
• Jumping Team Qualifier
Starts at 6am EDT
Saturday, August 7
• Jumping Team Final
• Jumping Team Victory Ceremony
Starts at 6am EDT
UK TV and streaming
Broadcast TV
The channels with the rights to the Olympics in the UK this year are the BBC and Eurosport. You’ll be able to watch most sporting events through both of these channels – with the BBC likely splitting some things between BBC One and Two.
BBC channels are available on both Freeview and TV packages such as Virgin and Sky, and you’ll also need a valid UK TV licence. Eurosport however is only accessible as a premium channel, not through standard Freeview TV.
Online
If you don’t have access to a TV, then you can still stream the Olympics either on BBC iPlayer or Eurosport/Discovery+.
BBC iPlayer is free to sign up, but you do need a valid UK TV licence to watch.
Schedule UK, GMT+1
Saturday, 24 July
• Dressage Grand Prix Team and Individual Qualifier Day 1
Starts at 9am GMT+1
Sunday, 25 July
• Dressage Grand Prix Team and Individual Qualifier Day 2
Starts at 9am GMT+1
Tuesday, 27 July
• Dressage Team Grand Prix Special
• Dressage Team Victory Ceremony
Starts at 9am GMT+1
Wednesday, 28 July
• Dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle
• Dressage Indivudual Victory Ceremony
Starts at 9:30 am GMT+1
Friday, 30 July
• Eventing Dressage Team and Indivual Day 1 – Session 1
Starts at 1:30am GMT+1
• Eventing Dressage Team and Individual Day 1 – Session 2
Starts at 9:30am GMT+1
Saturday, 31 July
• Eventing Dressage Team and Individual Day 2 – Session 3
Starts at 00:30am GMT+1
Saturday, 31 July – Sunday, 1 August
• Eventing Cross Country Team and Individual
Starts at 11:45pm GMT+1 on Saturday, 31 July
Monday, 2 August
• Eventing Jumping Team Final and Individual Qualifier
• Eventing Team Victory Ceremony
• Eventing Jumping Individual Final
• Eventing Individual Victory Ceremony
Starts at 9am GMT+1
Tuesday, 3 August
• Jumping Individual Qualifier
Starts at 11am GMT+1
Wednesday, 4 August
• Jumping Individual Final
• Jumping Individual Victory Ceremony
Starts at 11am GMT+1
Friday, 6 August
• Jumping Team Qualifier
Starts at 11am GMT+1
Saturday, 7 August
• Jumping Team Final
• Jumping Team Individual Ceremony
Starts at 11am GMT+1