NBC Universal recently announced that it has extended its exclusive Olympic broadcast contract with the IOC through 2032, paying a hefty $7.75 billion for the rights. This news will likely excite some gymnastics fans while annoying others, especially in the United States where NBC has maintained a stronghold on domestic and international competition broadcasts for many years.

Why the mixed emotions? While NBC has been running the Olympic coverage for many cycles and undoubtedly knows the ropes in terms of competition format and schedules, some fans dislike the broadcast content and commentating style. For example, deadspin.com author Dvora Meyers claims that NBC focuses too heavily on American gymnasts during international competitions, ignoring impressive routines by other athletes in favor of “fluff” shots of team USA. She also takes issue with the perennial commentating team of Tim Daggett, Elfi Schlegel, Al Trautwig, and Andrea Joyce, saying that they play up nonexistent drama, portray certain athletes as divas, and fail to explain the sport for unknowledgeable viewers.
 

Whether you agree with Meyers or not, it’s time for gymnastics fans to settle in for 18 more years of Olympic coverage by NBC. But there is a fresh face on the scene that may excite critics! Since her retirement in 2012, Nastia Liukin has joined the network’s sports broadcast team and has already done some commentating at the 2013 P&G Championships. If Liukin is part of the gymnastics media team for the 2016 Rio Games, then having her on board will likely change the dynamic of the content and commentary. And who knows what else could change in the next 18 years!? Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until then to see how NBC moves forward with its Olympic gymnastics coverage.