NBCUniversal's RIO OLYMPICS Coverage Kicks Off Today on NBCSN

NBCUniversal's coverage of the Games of the xxI Olympiad from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil begins today, Wednesday, August 3, with the kickoff of the women's soccer tournament, featuring six live games across NBCSN and USA Network.

Wednesday's live coverage of women's soccer features co-captain Carli Lloyd and the U.S. women's soccer team, who are pursuing a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal, against New Zealand at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN with Sweden vs. South AFRICA from Olympic Stadium. Coverage also includes Canada-Australia from Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo at 2 p.m. ET on NBCSN, and Brazil against China from Olympic Stadium at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4

NBC presents a one-hour Rio Olympics preview special live from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this Thursday, August 4, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Bob Costas will host the one-hour special, which features star athletes Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Usain Bolt, and the U.S. women's gymnastics team. The special also introduces the U.S. audience to the host city and country, and will address all topics related to the Rio Olympics.

In addition, live coverage of men's soccer group play kicks off on NBCSN on Thursday at Noon ET with Iraq vs. Denmark from Mane Garrincha Stadium. Coverage continues on NBCSN when Neymar leads the team from the Olympics host country of Brazil against South AFRICA at 3 p.m. ET, immediately followed by a meeting between medal contenders Portugal vs. Argentina at 5 p.m. ET from Olympic Stadium.

Coverage continues when Mexico, led by striker Oribe Peralta and keeper Alfredo Talavera, begins its gold medal defense against Germany at Fonte NOVA Arena in Salvador at 4 p.m. ET on USA Network.

Powered by Playmaker Media, NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app will live stream 4,500 total hours -- including all Olympic competition for the third consecutive Olympics -- for authenticated pay TV subscribers via TV Everywhere to desktops, mobile devices, and tablets, plus connected TVs for the first time.

For more information on live streaming, please go to: NBCOlympics.com/Live-Stream-Schedule

For the full schedule of NBCUniversal's Olympic coverage, please go to: NBCOlympics.com

For press information, bios, photos and releases, please go to: NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com

Listings subject to change (all times ET unless otherwise noted).

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3 (DAY -2)

NBCSN

11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Women's Soccer - Sweden vs. South AFRICA (LIVE)

2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Women's Soccer - Canada vs. Australia (LIVE)

4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

TBA

6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Women's Soccer - U.S. vs. New Zealand (LIVE)

9 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Women's Soccer - France vs. Colombia (LIVE)

USA NETWORK

3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Women's Soccer - Brazil vs. China (LIVE)

5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Women's Soccer - Zimbabwe vs. Germany (LIVE)

SOCCER SPECIALTY CHANNEL

Noon - 2 p.m.

Women's Soccer - Sweden vs. South AFRICA (LIVE)

2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Women's Soccer - Canada vs. Australia (LIVE)

4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Women's Soccer - Brazil vs. China

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Women's Soccer - U.S. vs. New Zealand (LIVE)

8 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Women's Soccer - Zimbabwe vs. Germany

9 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Women's Soccer - France vs. Colombia (LIVE)

11 p.m. - Midnight

Women's Soccer - U.S. vs. New Zealand Encore

NBC UNIVERSO

2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Olympic News (LIVE)

Olympic Football Preview Show (LIVE)

3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Women's Soccer - Brazil vs. China (LIVE)

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Women's Soccer - U.S. vs. New Zealand (LIVE)