NBC Signs Deal for More Gymnastics Coverage
Nastia Liukin
NBC is flipping out for more gymnastics: The network and cable partner Universal Sports have inked a deal with USA Gymnastics to carry the sport's biggest events through 2012, the Associated Press reports.
The pact secures the fifth major Olympic sport for NBC, which also has broadcast rights to key events in swimming, skating, track and skiing. The U.S. gymnastics championships, featuring Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin, are already set to air this week on NBC and Universal Sports.
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The news comes a month after the United States Olympic Committee partnered with Comcast to launch an Olympic channel after next year's Vancouver Games. The Comcast deal came about after negotiations broke down with NBC, which has aired every Summer Olympics since 1988 and every Winter Olympics since 2002. The Peacock has rights through the 2012 London Games, and still plans to bid for coverage of the 2014 and 2016 Games.