LIVIGNO, Italy — The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics opened with style, culture and music. But for NBC, the biggest challenge was not the ceremony itself — it was how to bring together Games spread across northern Italy into one smooth television broadcast.
After the unforgettable Paris 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony — complete with a dramatic parade down the Seine despite heavy rain — expectations were high. Yet Milano Cortina 2026 presented a very different reality.
With three clusters and six competition sites stretching from Milan to the Alps and the Dolomites, these are officially the most geographically spread-out Winter Games in history. And that reality showed clearly on NBC’s opening night coverage.
Why the 2026 Winter Olympics Are Harder to Cover
Unlike Paris, where the action centred around one iconic river, Italy’s Winter Games are divided across:
Milan (San Siro Stadium)
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Livigno Snow Park
Several Alpine and Dolomite venues
Athletes marched in different locations during the Parade of Nations. This created beautiful imagery, but also confusion for viewers at home.
Broadcast Challenges Faced by NBC
Multiple live venues happening at once
Switching between locations without clear on-screen graphics
Limited time to explain the geography to viewers
Hosting adjustments due to personal circumstances
Production overlap with NBC’s Super Bowl coverage
The result? A broadcast that sometimes felt scattered — though not entirely without charm.
Who Replaced Savannah Guthrie as NBC Host?
Originally, Savannah Guthrie was scheduled to co-host alongside Terry Gannon. However, she stepped aside due to a deeply personal family matter involving the disappearance and suspected kidnapping of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy.
NBC announced her departure shortly before the ceremony.
Mary Carillo Steps In
Veteran broadcaster Mary Carillo filled in on short notice. She joined:
Terry Gannon
Shaun White (three-time Olympic gold medallist)
Carillo handled the situation professionally, acknowledging Guthrie’s absence with warmth. Gannon said:
“We are certainly without a loved member of our team.”
Carillo added balance and structure to the commentary. She:
Asked thoughtful questions
Lightened serious moments with humour
Brought up Lindsey Vonn in relevant discussion
Connected political references (such as Iran protests) to the ceremony’s theme of peace
At times, she sounded like she was analysing a live sporting event — and surprisingly, it worked.
Shaun White’s Role Compared to Paris Celebrity Hosts
After criticism of Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson overshadowing Paris 2024 coverage, NBC clearly changed direction.
There were no celebrity guest hosts dominating airtime this time.
Shaun White’s Contribution
White appeared briefly at the start, then returned during the Parade of Nations when extra commentary was needed.
Compared to Peyton Manning’s extended presence in Paris, White’s airtime was noticeably more controlled and purposeful.
What worked:
First-hand athlete insight
Personal anecdotes from his five Winter Games
Knowledge of current snowboarders
What didn’t:
Repeated use of the word “amazing”
Promotion of his Snow League (which has a deal with NBC)
Comments seen as soft-pedalling Saudi Arabia concerns
Still, White felt more natural and relevant than Paris’ celebrity experiment.
Why Was Snoop Dogg Limited in Ceremony Coverage?
One of the biggest surprises was Snoop Dogg’s reduced screen time.
After becoming a breakout success during the Paris Olympics, many expected him to play a major role again.
Instead, NBC used him briefly:
Early in the broadcast
During coverage of the Jamaican bobsled team
In an interview with U.S. flagbearer Frank Del Duca
That was largely it.
Why the Limited Role?
Possible reasons include:
Not wanting to overuse him early in the Games
A more traditional broadcast approach
Time limitations due to multiple venues
Still, Snoop has proven more than just entertainment value. He:
Does visible research
Shows genuine interest in athletes
Connects well with younger audiences
NBC kept the partnership alive — but many viewers expected more “Double-G” moments.
Why Did Taylor Swift Appear During NBC’s Broadcast?
Twelve minutes into the show, Taylor Swift appeared to praise American athletes.
At first, it felt random.
However, it coincided with the release of her new music video, “Opalite”, which dropped the same day.
The appearance served dual purposes:
Boosting Olympic excitement
Promoting her new release
It was brief, polished and clearly pre-planned.
How Did NBC Handle Political and Global Storylines?
NBC touched on several global themes:
Protests in Iran
Ukraine receiving warm praise
The ceremony’s theme of “armonia” (harmony)
However, there was no mention of reported boos directed at Israel inside San Siro Stadium.
The coverage leaned more towards unity and positivity rather than controversy.
Ceremony Highlights: Italy’s Cultural Showcase
The ceremony itself opened with a montage celebrating Italy’s gifts to the world:
Opera
Renaissance art
Literature
Espresso and wine culture
Architecture
Natural landscapes
The theme, “Armonia” (Harmony), shaped the night.
Memorable Moments
A playful paparazzi skit transforming into composer mascots (Rossini, Verdi, Puccini)
Mariah Carey performing “Nel Blu, dipinto di Blu” in Italian
Her iconic song “Nothing Is Impossible”
A tasteful introduction of Italian President Sergio Mattarella
Minimal focus on U.S. Vice President JD Vance
Mariah Carey’s performance lasted several minutes and featured live high notes — avoiding any lip-sync controversy.
Parade of Nations: Heartwarming but Fragmented
Because athletes marched in separate locations, the Parade of Nations lacked the usual unified energy.
However, NBC created emotional moments, including:
A live camera feed inside U.S. flagbearer Erin Jackson’s family home in Florida
More on-screen graphics explaining venue locations would have improved clarity.
Chloe Kim Interview: A Missed Opportunity?
NBC’s interview with snowboarder Chloe Kim felt underdeveloped.
Reporter Tina Smith focused more on admiration than:
Kim’s injured shoulder
Her recovery
Her competitive outlook
It left viewers wanting more depth.
Final Verdict: Imperfect but Understandable
NBC faced genuine obstacles:
A spread-out Olympic structure
A last-minute hosting change
Super Bowl production commitments
High expectations after Paris 2024
To its credit, the network adjusted quickly and avoided repeating past mistakes.
Was it flawless? No.
Was it chaotic? Slightly.
But perhaps that reflects the Games themselves — ambitious, beautiful, and undeniably disjointed.
Key Takeaways
The 2026 Winter Olympics are the most geographically spread-out Games ever.
Mary Carillo replaced Savannah Guthrie at short notice.
Shaun White provided athlete insight with limited airtime.
Snoop Dogg had a smaller role compared to Paris.
Taylor Swift’s appearance aligned with a new music release.
NBC’s coverage balanced celebration with selective political restraint.
Sources
NBC Sports Broadcast Coverage
Milano Cortina 2026 Official Olympic Communications
International Olympic Committee (IOC) Statements
On-air commentary from Terry Gannon, Mary Carillo and Shaun Whit
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