The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially named the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, run from February 6 to February 22, 2026, across northern Italy. Millions of fans around the world will be following elite competition in 16 winter sports, including figure skating, alpine skiing, ice hockey, and more. Whether you’re watching from your home country or abroad, there are numerous ways to tune into live action, highlights, and on-demand coverage through TV channels and streaming platforms.
Official Olympic Broadcasters Worldwide
The Olympics’ governing body allocates broadcast rights to official media partners in each country or region. This ensures a wide range of ways to watch, including free-to-air TV, cable channels, and digital streaming services.
United States
In the U.S., NBCUniversal holds the broadcast rights to the 2026 Winter Olympics. Events air on traditional TV channels like:
- NBC
- USA Network
- CNBC
In addition, nearly all Olympic action is streamed live and on demand via:
- Peacock
- NBCOlympics.com
- NBC Sports App
This means viewers can watch early-morning competitions, daytime sessions, and the nightly highlights show, all from phones, tablets, or TV devices with internet access.
Bonus: Peacock often offers Gold Zone, a continuous live whip-around show with simultaneous event coverage and expert commentary.
United Kingdom & Europe
In the UK and much of Europe, a mix of free-to-air and subscription options exists:
- EBU Member broadcasters (such as BBC or national public media) will air Olympic events free on TV and digital platforms.
- In some European countries, TNT Sports and Discovery+ provide extended live coverage and streaming.
For many countries covered by the European Broadcasting Union, at least 100 hours of free coverage will be offered on linear TV, including major finals and medal events.
Canada
Canada’s Olympic broadcast rights are controlled primarily by CBC/Radio-Canada and associated streaming platforms such as CBC Gem and the CBC Sports app. These services offer free and extensive online coverage of live Olympic action throughout the Games.
Asia
In Asia, various national broadcasters stream the Games:
- NHK delivers comprehensive free coverage in Japan through terrestrial TV and online platforms.
- CCTV-16 carries free-to-air broadcasts in China.
- Other networks, such as JTBC, Naver Sports, and regional channels, offer live or delayed streams across South Korea and other Asian countries.
Other Global Regions
Rights holders also include:
- Nine Network and Stan Sport in Australia
- RTVE in Spain
- RTP in Portugal
- StarTimes across sub-Saharan Africa
- Claro Sports in parts of Latin America
- beIN Sports across the Middle East and North Africa
Each broadcaster tailors its coverage, so local TV guides and on-air schedules can differ significantly.
Streaming Platforms & On-Demand Access
Peacock (US)
Peacock is the primary streaming home for the 2026 Olympics in the United States. It streams every event live and on demand, including opening and closing ceremonies, medal races, figure skating finals, and niche sports. Subscribers can watch on:
- Connected TVs
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Computers
Peacock may require a paid subscription for full access, but select clips or highlights may be available free during certain windows.
National Public Streaming (Worldwide)
Many free-to-air broadcasters offer digital streaming via:
- BBC iPlayer (UK)
- CBC Gem (Canada)
- 9Now (Australia)
- RTE Player (Ireland)
- Other public media apps in Europe
These platforms allow free access to live streams and replays, depending on local rights and regional restrictions.
Free Options vs Subscription
Free Ways to Watch
In some regions, the Olympics can be watched for free through public broadcasting:
- Free terrestrial TV coverage via national media (e.g., BBC, RAI, NHK)
- Public streaming apps (CBC Gem, BBC iPlayer)
- Free trials of major streaming services (e.g., Peacock, YouTube TV trials)
Subscription Services
Paid services may include:
- Peacock Premium
- Discovery+ or TNT Sports (Europe)
- Stan Sport (Australia)
- Sky Sport (New Zealand)
Subscription platforms often provide deeper coverage, multi-camera streams, and apps with schedules and athlete info.
How to Choose the Best Viewing Method
1. Check Local Broadcast Rights:
Rights differ by country. Olympic organisers list official broadcasters on the global Olympic website.
2. Decide Between Live or On-Demand:
If you want every event live, services like Peacock or national sports apps are best. For highlights and major finals, free TV might suffice.
3. Use Digital Platforms:
Streaming through apps and websites lets you watch on any device, ideal for travel or mobile viewing.
4. Watch Major Moments:
Opening and closing ceremonies, and Olympic showpiece events like figure skating finals and ice hockey, are typically prioritised on major networks like NBC (US) and free public broadcasters elsewhere.
Summary
Watching the 2026 Winter Olympics has never been easier or more flexible. Fans around the world can tune in via:
- Traditional TV with local broadcasters
- Live streaming platforms like Peacock, Discovery+, and public media apps
- Free public broadcasts in many countries
- On-demand replays and highlight shows
Whether in the United States, Europe, Asia, or beyond, every moment of the Milano-Cortina Games, from the opening ceremony to the final medal presentations, is accessible through a wide array of channels and platforms tailored to each region’s media landscape.
Enjoy the competition, the drama, and the spirit of winter sport! 🏂⛷️❄️