TORONTO — As the Rio 2016 Olympic Games officially kick off Friday evening, Canadians wanting to watch the opening ceremony will be able to choose from a range of viewing options.
Starting at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT), TV viewers will be able to watch English-language coverage of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games opening ceremony live on CBC, CBC News Network and TSN. Viewers will also be able to live-stream coverage online at cbc.ca/olympics and via CBC’s app for Rio 2016, available for free download for iOS and Android devices.
In addition, for the first time in Olympic Games history, Canadians will be able to enjoy a virtual-reality or 360-degree video experience of the Games opening ceremony from inside Rio’s Maracana Stadium with the CBC Olympic Games Virtual Reality app (available Friday), brought to Canadians exclusively by Visa.
CBC’s hosts for the opening ceremony will be Scott Russell and Peter Mansbridge, who will guide viewers through the event, including the entrance of Team Canada’s athletes and coaches, led by Canadian flag-bearer Rosie MacLennan. CBC’s coverage of the opening ceremony will begin with a video essay by Mansbridge, as he shares his thoughts on Rio 2016 and the Olympic Games, setting the stage for the ceremony and the events to come over the course of the Games. Joining the broadcast throughout the opening ceremony will be Olympic Games daytime co-hosts Andi Petrillo and David Amber, reporter and Olympian Perdita Felicien, and CBC News Network host Heather Hiscox.
The opening ceremony will offer Canadians a chance to see some of Brazil’s top musical acts, including Karol Conka, 12-year-old rapper MC Soffia, pop singer Ludmilla and the legendary Elza Soares. Other performers expected to appear include Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, who will team with Brazilian sensation Anitta. Other well-known Brazilian celebrities who will take part in the ceremony include supermodel Gisele Bündchen and model Lea T, the first transgender person to play a major role at an opening ceremony of an Olympic Games.
CBC is also inviting viewers in Toronto to join members of Canada’s Olympic team to watch the opening ceremony at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre at 250 Front St. W. in downtown Toronto. Special activities will include giveaways, face painting and a Q&A with Team Canada canoe/kayak athletes Adam van Koeverden, KC Fraser and Genny Orton, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto will be open daily from 7 a.m. until 12 midnight throughout the Olympic Games. Canadians in other areas of the country are invited to join a viewing event closer to home to cheer on Canada’s athletes together.
