Olympic Opening Ceremonies 2016: TV Info and Preview for Rio Kickoff

After a turbulent and prolonged buildup to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, the opening ceremony will signal the beginning of what should be 16 days of absorbing sport.

Indeed, the ongoing doping controversy surrounding the Russian team and complaints about the standard of the accommodation in Brazil have blemished the lead-up to the event. But the organisers and athletes will hope that when the action starts, that’ll draw the spotlight back to sport.

A stellar opening ceremony can set the tempo for the entire spectacle, too, as was the case in 2012 when a display in London captivated the watching world.

To see if Rio can lay down a similar precedent, here are the key viewing details for the event and what to expect from Friday’s curtain-raiser.

Date: Friday

Time: 8 p.m. (Local), Midnight (BST), 7 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: BBC One (UK), NBC (US)

Live Stream: BBC iPlayer (UK), NBC Sports App (US)

Eyes of the World on Rio

YASUYOSHI CHIBA/Getty Images

The opening ceremony has traditionally been a chance for the host city to give the rest of the planet an insight into its culture. So expect this event at the massive Maracana Stadium to be a cacophony of noise and a canvas of vibrant colour.

In London four years ago, all the stops were pulled out to ensure the first action of the games was special, including a guest appearance from the Queen.

Here’s a reminder of that memorable segment:

As noted by BBC Sport’s Elizabeth Ammon, from that point on, there was little doubt the games were going to be a success:

Trying to cultivate a similar sense of inevitably four years on will be Fernando Meirelles, the man who directed the acclaimed film City of God, which focuses on life in the favelas of Rio. Andrucha Waddington and Daniela Thomas have assisted Meirelles in coordinating the event.

According to Tom Dutton of the London Evening Standard, the organisers have only sanctioned a budget that amounts to one tenth of what their equivalents in London had access to. Nevertheless, Meirelles is said to have promised “creativity, rhythm and emotion,” with 6,000 volunteers giving up their time to assist.

Once the displays are done, the standard practices for the Olympic opening ceremony will take place. The flame will be lit in the stadium, before all the competing athletes will take part in a parade. The Olympic flag, bearing the iconic five rings, will be hoisted too. 

BETO BARATA/Getty Images

There has been a lot of speculation about exactly what those fortunate to be in the Maracana should expect on the night. However, as we can see courtesy of the Rio 2016 Twitter feed, those involved are giving little away:

Some details have inevitably slipped out, though. As reported by BBCTrending, some of the outfits have been posted on social media and provoked some interesting comparisons:

Nevertheless, at a venue renowned for producing some tremendous atmospheres, expect the stadium to be abuzz with Brazilian pride as the ceremony kicks off. The buildup to these games have been turbulent and testing, so expect plenty tied to the country to breathe a big sigh of relief when the flame is lit in the stadium.

For the athletes, it’s a night that’ll be invigorating ahead of their respective challenges and a preview of the kind of passion they can expect when undertaking their various disciplines across this magnificent city.