June 27, 2024 – NBC (National Broadcasting Company) unveiled its plans to cover the upcoming Olympics, leveraging both its television network and the Peacock streaming platform. A notable addition to this year’s coverage is the introduction of an AI-generated voice based on that of veteran NBC sportscaster Al Michaels.
According to the announcement, Peacock will use this AI voice to narrate and commentate on the “Peacock Daily Olympic Recap” show, offering subscribers a unique and personalized Olympic experience. The AI voice, trained on Michaels’ past commentaries, will bring a familiar and authoritative tone to the recaps.
Starting July 27th, Peacock subscribers can access a dedicated “Olympic Center” section, featuring highlights from the Paris Olympics. This includes personalized collections of their favorite sports, behind-the-scenes athlete stories, and top moments from the games. From July 28th onward, this section will daily curate customized highlight videos from the Olympic competitions.
Remarkably, Peacock anticipates generating close to 7 million personalized Olympic highlight videos during the Paris Olympics, all narrated by the AI version of Michaels. Before delivering any audio-visual content to users, an NBC editorial team will review all materials to guarantee their quality and accuracy.
Michaels, initially skeptical about the project, changed his mind after seeing a demonstration. “When I was first asked about this, I was doubtful but also intrigued,” he said. “After seeing their detailed presentation, I decided to get involved.”
This innovative approach by NBC and Peacock promises to enhance the viewer experience, blending traditional broadcasting with cutting-edge technology.