Facebook, Instagram Head to Rio 2016 With NBC Olympics

Facebook and Instagram will be part of the NBC Olympics team for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games from Rio de Janeiro.

The partnership will kick in prior to the Aug. 5 Opening Ceremony, with Facebook and Instagram helping NBC Olympics “engage with new audiences around the spectacle and pageantry that occurs when the world comes together for the Games in Rio.”

NBC Olympics and Facebook will also create a Social Command Center in Rio de Janeiro, where producers from the television broadcaster will help create Facebook Live content featuring commentators and athletes.

A “full complement” of short-form videos will also be produced by NBC Olympics and be available via Facebook and Instagram in the U.S., including highlights and interviews. For example, a two-minute daily recap video will appear on Facebook daily for U.S. users, as well as a daily slow-motion video covering an inspiring moment in that day's competition, which will be featured on Instagram.

NBC Olympics commentators will appear on the @Instagram account and direct users to highlights via Instagram's search and Explore video channels.

Content related to the Games that is posted on Facebook and Instagram by athletes, celebrities and public figures will be incorporated into NBC Olympics' coverage, including primetime and late-night on NBC and on Spanish-language network Telemundo.

In addition, Ryan Seacrest, who is hosting NBC's late-night coverage, will highlight the content that draws the most buzz on Facebook and Instagram.

Facebook head of global sports partnerships Dan Reed said in a release presenting the details of the partnership:

We're excited to work with NBC Olympics to provide fans with a unique, immersive and engaging Rio 2016 experience on Facebook and Instagram. As a complement to NBC's programming, our platforms will allow fans to access, interact with and share a wide variety of engaging NBC video content from Rio to stay current and connect with their friends and communities. Together, our platforms will provide both a front-row seat and backstage pass to the biggest event of the year.

NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel added:

This partnership is about reaching fans on Facebook and Instagram with NBC's great and compelling Olympic content. It's about fueling the Olympic conversation and driving interest in watching the Games, and it's a natural outgrowth of our mission to share the powerful and captivating stories behind the world's most accomplished athletes.

Readers: Will you follow Rio 2016 via Facebook and Instagram?