The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are being billed as the biggest ever, which is quite the expectation to live up to. The opening ceremony for any Olympics is always must-see TV, and sets the tone for the entire games. Viewers can watch the opening ceremony for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics live at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, on NBC, or in primetime starting at 8 p.m. on the same channel. Our best recommendation for streaming the opening ceremony is with a subscription to DIRECTV.

How to watch 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

• When: Friday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. ET (live), 8 p.m. ET (primetime replay)
• TV: NBC
• Stream: Watch with a five-day free trial of DIRECTV
• From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.

What you need to know about the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

What time is the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony?

The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony will be presented live starting at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 6 on NBC. If fans can’t catch the ceremony live, it will be replayed in primetime on the channel starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Why do we recommend watching 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on DIRECTV?

The availability of NBC on DIRECTV makes it easy to recommend for watching the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. The channel is available in all DIRECTV Signature channel packages, which start at $90 per month, and include a five-day free trial if viewers choose to receive their channel package through their own streaming device.

Viewers can also find NBC in the MyNews Genre Pack, which offers 10+ news-themed channels for $40 per month. The network is also available in the MySports Genre Pack, which provides 20+ sports-related networks for $70 per month. Both packages allow viewers to pay for only the types of channels they watch most, while cutting out the fat of an overstuffed plan.

5-Day Trial

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DIRECTV

DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.

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Following the launch of several genre-specific Genre Packs, there are now even more flexible ways to watch DIRECTV. Options like MySports, MyEntertainment, MyNews, and MiEspañol provide affordable, targeted alternatives to larger bundles, allowing viewers to subscribe to a specific set of channels that match their interests without the cost of a full lineup.

DIRECTV starts at $59.99 / month for its Entertainment package. You can access your local regional sports network with the Choice package, which begins at $64.99 / month, as well as the MySports Pack $44.99 / month. At the top end, they also have an Ultimate ($94.99) for 218 channels. Slimmer Genre Packs for entertainment and news are MyEntertainment for $42.99 / month and MyNews $39.99 / month. There is no contract or broadcast TV fees with this DIRECTV streaming option.

The service was previously called DIRECTV STREAM, preceded by AT&T TV.

How much does DIRECTV cost in 2026?

DIRECTV now offers flexible entry points starting at $19.99/month for the MyKids Genre Pack, while full Signature Packages like Entertainment start at $84.99/month. See the full list: DIRECTV Pricing & Plans

Does DIRECTV have a free trial?

Yes, DIRECTV offers a 5-Day Free Trial for new customers, which includes access to your chosen package and any added Genre Packs.

What are DIRECTV Genre Packs?

Genre Packs are targeted, contract-free plans introduced in 2025. They include MySports ($69.99/mo), MyEntertainment ($34.99/mo), MyNews ($39.99/mo), and MiEspañol ($34.99/mo), often bundling apps like Max, Disney+, or Hulu.

How many channels does DIRECTV have?

The channel count varies by plan: the Entertainment package starts with 90+ channels, while the Premier package offers over 185+ channels. See the full list: DIRECTV Channels.

How many streams are allowed at once on DIRECTV?

DIRECTV allows for unlimited simultaneous streams on your home network and up to 3 streams while on the go. See more details: DIRECTV Simultaneous Streams

Does DIRECTV include local channels?

Yes, local affiliates like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC are included in all Signature Packages and the MySports Genre Pack in most markets. See the full list: DIRECTV Local Channels.

Does DIRECTV have live sports?

DIRECTV is a leader in sports, offering ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, and MLB Network, plus Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in the Choice plan and above. See the full list: DIRECTV Sports Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer premium channels?

Yes, you can add Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax. Many 2026 Genre Packs now include these services as part of the base price. See the full list: DIRECTV Premium Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer 4K streaming?

DIRECTV provides dedicated 4K channels (104-106) for live sports and special events at no extra cost, provided you have a compatible 4K device.

Does DIRECTV have a DVR?

Every DIRECTV plan includes Unlimited Cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record and save shows for up to 9 months.

Is there a Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee on DIRECTV?

An RSN fee of up to $15.99/month applies to the Choice package and above, as these plans include local sports coverage. This fee is determined by your zip code and the number of Regional Sports Networks available in your area.

Can I avoid the RSN fee on DIRECTV?

Yes. To avoid the RSN fee, you can subscribe to the Entertainment package or the MySports Genre Pack ($69.99/mo), which bundles sports content without a separate itemized RSN charge. See the breakdown: DIRECTV RSN Fees & Locations.

5-Day Trial

$59.99+ / month

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Start streaming DIRECTV & save up to $30 off your 1st mo. of service! Learn how.

Can you stream the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony for free?

There are a couple of other options for watching the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony with a free trial if DIRECTV doesn’t excite you.

YouTube TV is offering new customers a 21-day free trial with a current promotion, after which its core plan costs a discounted $60 per month for new subscribers’ first two months of service.

Hulu + Live TV includes a three-day free trial for new customers, after which plans with the Disney Bundle start at $90 per month.

What are all the services you can use to watch the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics?

Audiences can stream the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. DIRECTV is our top choice of these options, but there are others available!

Sling TV only carries NBC in a small handful of markets in its Select and Blue plans, starting at $20 per month but incorporating extra fees in areas where local channels are available.

Peacock will stream the opening ceremony both live and in primetime on its Premium plan for $11 per month, or Premium Plus plan for $17 per month.

About 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony will be held at Milan’s San Siro Stadium, with multiple competition venues also due to be involved. Grammy Award-winner Mariah Carey and Italian icon and tenor Andrea Bocelli will be on hand to perform, joined by Sabrina Impacciatore and pianist Lang Lang. The ceremony is sure to be a feast for the eyes and ears, a spectacle that kicks off the Winter Games with all the pomp and circumstance they deserve.

How to watch 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics from anywhere

If you’ll be away from home and can’t watch the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics as you normally would, you can still catch all of the action, no matter where you are in the world, with a VPN. A VPN can be used on your phone, tablet, or computer and make you appear to be back home — even when you’re not — making sure you feel at home no matter where you are. A VPN is a safe and secure way to stay protected online while streaming your favorite sports, movies, and shows on the go. Keep in mind that you will still need to be subscribed to a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV in order to stream the games with a VPN.

NordVPN is one of the best providers around, at one of the best prices. Currently, you can get two full years of protection for just $3.59 per month — plus you’ll get three extra months FREE. A high-speed VPN with best-in-class security that can be used on up to 10 devices at once — what more could you ask for? Simply sign up, install the software on your device of choice, and start streaming just as you would back home. It couldn’t be easier!

While NordVPN is our recommendation for the best VPN to use while traveling, there are a number of other high-quality options available, depending on what you are looking for.

• Best Features: ExpressVPN | Starting at $5 per month
• Best Budget Option: Surfshark | Starting at $2.50 per month
• Best Free Option: Proton VPN | Free plan available