NBC Sports Olympics Schedule 2012: Channel Info for Opening Action

After four long years, the wait is finally over as the top athletes from around the world have converged on London for the Games of the XXX Olympiad.

The festivities begin with Friday evening's opening ceremonies from Olympic stadium in London, and here's a quick guide for Friday and Saturday's TV coverage along with something to watch for each day as the Games get underway.

All times listed are Eastern Daylight Time.

Friday, July 27

7:30 P.M. - 12:00 A.M. (NBC): Opening Ceremonies

What to watch for 

The opening ceremonies of the Beijing Games four years ago were hailed as a huge success, and it will fall to Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle to try to match the pageantry of the opening ceremonies in China.

The opening ceremonies have been dubbed "The Isles of Wonder" and will feature the official opening of the Games by Queen Elizabeth II and a musical performance by Sir Paul McCartney.

Saturday, July 28

4:00 A.M. - 6:00 A.M. (NBC Sports Network): beach volleyball (qualifying round)

4:00 A.M. - 6:00 A.M. (NBC Specialty - basketball): women's basketball (Group A: CHN vs. CZE)

5:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. (NBC): cycling (men's road race) ***MEDAL EVENT***

6:00 A.M. - 8:00 A.M. (NBCS-BK): women's basketball (Group B: CAN vs. RUS)

6:00 A.M. - 6:45 A.M. (NBCSN): shooting (women's 10m air rifle) ***MEDAL EVENT***

6:45 A.M. - 8:15 A.M. (NBCSN): women's volleyball (CHN vs. SRB)

7:00 A.M. - 9:00 A.M. (MSNBC): women's soccer (Group F: JPN vs. SWE)

8:15 A.M. - 9:30 A.M. (NBCSN): beach volleyball (qualifying round)

8:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. (CNBC): boxing (men's bantamweight and middleweight)

9:00 A.M. - 9:30 A.M. (MSNBC): women's fencing (individual foil)

9:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. (MSNBC): women's soccer (Group F: CAN vs. RSA)

9:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. (NBCSN): women's soccer (Group E: NZL vs. BRA)

9:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. (NBCS-BK): women's basketball (Group A: TUR vs. ANG)

11:00 A.M. - 11:45 A.M. (NBC): swimming (qualifying heats)

11:15 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. (NBCSN): archery (men's team)

11:30 A.M. - 12:15 P.M. (MSNBC): badminton

11:45 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. (NBC): women's basketball (Group A: USA vs. CRO)

12:00 P.M. - 1:45 P.M. (NBCSN): women's soccer (Group G: USA vs. COL)

12:15 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. (MSNBC) women's soccer (Group E: GBR vs. CMR)

1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (NBC): swimming (qualifying heats)

1:45 P.M. - 2:45 P.M. (NBCSN): equestrian (event dressage)

2:00 P.M. - 2:45 P.M. (MSNBC): table tennis

2:30 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. (NBC): rowing (qualifying heats)

2:45 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. (NBCSN): women's soccer (Group G: FRA vs. PRK)

2:45 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. (MSNBC): women's handball (DEN vs. SWE)

3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. (NBC): women's volleyball (USA vs. KOR)

3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. (NBCS-BK): women's basketball (Group B: BRA vs. FRA)

3:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (MSNBC): women's fencing (individual foil final) ***MEDAL EVENT***

4:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. (MSNBC): beach volleyball (qualifying round)

4:30 P.M. - 5:45 P.M. (NBCSN): women's handball (NOR vs. FRA)

5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. (NBC): beach volleyball (qualifying round)

5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. (NBCS-BK): women's basketball (Group B: GBR vs. AUS)

5:45 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. (NBCSN): archery (men's team final) ***MEDAL EVENT***

8:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M. (NBC): Olympics Primetime (swimming, men's gymnastics, beach volleyball) ***MEDAL EVENT***

What to watch for 

For fans of individual events the primetime show on NBC will rule the day, as Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps of the United States will enter the pool to face off in the 400m individual medley.

However, if you're more into team sports there will be soccer and basketball galore throughout the day. If you're looking for something a little different I'd recommend the handball matches featuring Denmark vs. Sweden and Norway vs. France, as the sport is dominated on the international level by European nations.

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