Molly Solomon's Bold Bet: Snoop & Streaming Reshape Olympics

Molly Solomon spearheaded a significant transformation of NBC's Olympic broadcast strategy, beginning with the Paris Games in 2024. Faced with declining viewership, averaging 10.7 million for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics compared to 19.8 million in 2018, Solomon reimagined the viewing experience.

Her new formula prioritized live competition streaming on Peacock, complemented by engaging prime-time packages. This approach aimed to recapture audience interest in the evolving media landscape. Solomon's leadership has positioned her as a pioneering female executive in sports television.

This innovative strategy builds on lessons learned from previous Games, which faced challenges like postponements and inconvenient time zones. For upcoming events like the Milan Cortina Olympics, the strategy includes returning personalities like Snoop Dogg and Stanley Tucci, alongside a "Gold Zone" feature.

Solomon's career trajectory includes early work with Bob Costas and mentorship from Dick Ebersol. She became the first woman to executive produce the Golf Channel and has now established a new standard for Olympic broadcasting.

NBCUniversal's commitment to the Olympics extends through 2036, with a recent extension valuing future Games at $3 billion. The company aims to leverage the Olympics to grow its streaming service, Peacock, while maintaining the profitability of its broadcast offerings.