Wednesday's agreement, combined with domestic and international contracts NBC has with swimming, skating, track and skiing, gives the network the lion's share of the coverage of U.S. teams in five key Olympic sports during a time when the U.S. Olympic Committee is trying to start its own channel.

NBC has televised every Summer Olympics since 1988 and every Winter Olympics since 2002.

USOC officials have heaped praise on NBC for its coverage and support but the relationship hit a snag when the USOC partnered with Comcast to form a new network that is expected to go to air after the Vancouver Olympics.

The Comcast deal came about after negotiations with NBC and Universal broke down.