NBC’s highly rated “Today” show will broadcast live from the Vancouver Winter Olympics, and Matt Lauer is the first correspondent to hit the ground running. His first live broadcast is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9th. The Vancouver Winter Olympics is the seventh Olympic Games the “Today” show has traveled to and covered.

Before the Olympic torch is lit and “Let the Games begin” is heard around the world, Matt Lauer will broadcast live from the heart of the action. Beginning on Tuesday, February 9th, Lauer and fellow correspondent Natalie Morales will give viewers an insider's glimpse at the Olympic action, including a peak at Olympic competitors who are expected to make an impact in Vancouver. The duo will also give viewers an up close look at the Olympic venues, and Vancouver’s massive undertaking required to pull off such a huge event. Matt Lauer is also scheduled to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday, February 11th. He will carry the flame through the town of Burnaby, British Columbia.

Matt Lauer’s fellow “Today” show hosts, Meredith Vieira, Al Roker and Ann Curry will join him at NBC’s Olympic-sized set, high atop Grouse Mountain, overlooking the city of Vancouver. The focus of Friday’s “Today” show will be centered exclusively on the Winter Olympics, and more specifically on the Opening Ceremony. Michael Buble will perform live a special mountaintop concert, and special athlete guests, olympic aerialist Jeret “Speedy” Peterson and freestyle skier Emily Cook will join Matt, Meredith, Al and Ann. Special correspondents Kristi Yamaguchi and Picabo Street will also join the “Today” crew with personal insights gained from their own Olympic experiences, plus expert commentary and analysis of the Vancouver Olympic Games.

Following the Opening Ceremony, “Today” will broadcast live from Vancouver for two weeks with in-depth news coverage of the Games, including the very latest on the events and previews of upcoming action. The “Today” show staff will interview Apolo Ohno, Lindsay Vonn, Shaun White, Evan Lysacek and Lindsay Jacobellis, and other American Olympic hopefuls who have a good shot at bringing home the gold.

In addition to covering the action, the “Today” staff will highlight the entire “Olympic experience,” including personal insights into the culture, cuisine and society of Vancouver. Jenna Bush will contribute to special interest stories and reports, and Sara Haines will give Kathie Lee and Hoda the daily Olympic dish from Grouse Mountain.

NBC Universal will present more than 835 hours of Vancouver Olympic Winter Games coverage - representing the most total hours ever for a Winter Olympics.

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