Lauer To Co-host Opening Ceremonies In Beijing

Raising his profile at the network considerably, NBC has named Matt Lauer, cohost of Today, to team up with Bob Costas to co-anchor the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Beijing on Aug. 8. The opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin were co-anchored by Costas and Brian Williams. (Costas has co-anchored every Olympics possibility ceremonies since 1992.) The announcement came even as NBC Sports & Olympics Chairman was saying that the web is preparing for the possibility of major break news in Beijing during the Olympics. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Ebersol said, "I always personally hope that it's fundamentally an Olympics about sports. But if it isn't going to be sports, we'll be ready for news."