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How Google Plans to Own Rio Olympics Coverage

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
August 1, 2016, 12:41 PM ET
Press Conference Marking Two Years to Go to the Rio 2016 Olympics Opening Ceremony
Photo by Buda Mendes—Getty Images

Google really wants to be involved in your Olympics binge-watching.

The Alphabet-owned Google (GOOGL) on Monday announced several new features that will allow users to keep track of everything happening at the 2016 Rio Olympics from the opening ceremony on Friday to the closing ceremony on Aug. 21. By searching on Google, users will be able to get event schedules, medal counts, athlete information, and TV schedules in more than 30 countries without needing to click on search results.

But it’s not just about search. Google says that YouTube is getting in the mix by streaming highlights in more than 60 countries. With Google Maps, users will be able to wander around different parts of Rio and gawk at the Olympic venues. Even Google Trends, which tracks search activity across the service, will list top Rio-related search queries worldwide.

Google has also marketed its mobile app for iOS and Android for receiving notifications about major event and medal wins.

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Google’s move is the latest salvo from online companies hoping to capitalize on the Olympics. The event is a highly followed event, and the Internet is a critical source of information about the Olympians, the event, and more.

For its part, Google has decided, not surprisingly, to nab traffic through search. Facebook (FB) and Twitter (TWTR), however, are also competing for attention. For instance, Facebook announced last week that it had partnered with NBC to become the Olympics “social command center” for streaming exclusive Olympics video content through Facebook and Instagram.

For more about the Rio Olympics, watch:


However, Google has the early lead by already displaying event schedules and medal standings when users search for “Rio Olympics,” among other Olympic-related search queries.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
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