After tape-delayed success, a mostly live Olympics for NBC

NEW YORK (AP) — Gymnastics will air on a tape delay on NBC next year during the Summer Olympics.

Host Rio de Janeiro is only one hour ahead of the United States’ Eastern time zone, allowing the network to broadcast many high-profile events live in prime time. Gymnastics will take place in the late afternoon and early evening, and the recorded competition will be shown that night with a quick turnaround.

NBC executives say the format of gymnastics makes it better-suited to be repackaged on delay. Multiple gymnasts are competing on different apparatus at the same time, and there are long delays.

Fans will be able to watch gymnastics live on streaming video but not on TV.

Swimming and track and field will air almost entirely live in prime time.

Wednesday marks a year until the start of the 2016 Olympics.

By Rachel Cohen

AP Sports Writer