The Olympics are continuously trying to keep up with the times, and NBC is taking that strategy to the next level. The network that has the Olympics’ U.S. media rights until 2032 is adding Snoop Dogg as a commentator for this summer’s Paris Games.
Snoop Dogg will be on site in France to provide commentary about the events. During the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the rapper hosted a Peacock streaming program with Kevin Hart, interviewing athletes throughout the Games. But this year, the musician will be live in primetime and on NBC’s main network channel. Beyond the Olympics, Snoop Dogg has previously joined the broadcast team of his hometown Los Angeles Kings, providing game commentary and even showing off his play-by-play skills.
The most recent edition of the Olympics, the 2022 Beijing Games, drew a record-low primetime audience for NBC, averaging 11.4 million viewers. The Tokyo Olympics (15.5 million primetime average) produced the lowest viewership for the Summer Games since 1988.
TV ratings aside, turning to a well-known pop culture figure to help generate interest is just the latest effort to try and modernize the Olympics. During the Paris Games, new sports like skateboarding, surfing, and even breaking (better known as break dancing) will make Olympic debuts. In the 2028 Los Angeles Games, cricket and flag football will be added.
