Nine Network unveils Olympic broadcasting plans

Australia's free-to-air channel Nine Network has unveiled plans for its coverage of the London 2012 Olympics. Its Wide World of Sports team will bring Australian television audiences more than 18 hours of action each day across all 16 days of competition. Hosting the coverage from London will be the face and voice of Wide World of Sports, Ken Sutcliffe, along with Karl Stefanovic, Leila McKinnon, Mark Nicholas and Cameron Williams. Leila McKinnon and Eddie McGuire will host the live and exclusive coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies. On competition days, Nine will broadcast 14.5 hours of continuous live coverage from 6.30pm until 9.00am the following morning. Then from 9.00am to 11.00am each morning, all the day's highlights will be shown and later replayed from 4.00pm-6.00pm. Nine's commentary team for London 2012 includes nine Olympic gold medallists, former Olympic athletes, and distinguished sports broadcasters. The Wide World of Sports exclusive swimming commentary team comprises Olympic gold medallists Grant Hackett and Giaan Rooney plus Ray Warren, one of Australia's most accomplished sports commentators. The rest of the Olympic commentary team includes James Tomkins (Rowing), Kerri Pottharst (Beach Volleyball), Scott McGrory (Cycling), Debbie Watson (Water Polo), Andrew Gaze (Basketball), Jane Flemming (Athletics), Melinda Gainsford-Taylor (Athletics), Michael Slater (Diving), Andrew Voss (Weightlifting), James Brayshaw (Rowing) and Eddie McGuire (Marathon and Triathlon). More than 300 hours of action will be broadcast on Channel Nine, and simulcast in high definition on GEM.