By NBC to roll out Paris Olympics highlights with AI-generated narration from Al Michaels. Plus: Dusty Baker returns to the TBS studio; Caffeine TV shuts down months after inking LIV Golf deal.
Al Michaels lends voice to AI-generated Olympic highlights
NBC is set to use the AI-generated voice of longtime sportscaster Al Michaels on personalized Olympics highlight packages available to Peacock subscribers, according to multiple reports Wednesday. Per Variety, Michaels “will deliver personalized recaps … tailored to fans’ specific interests.” In a statement, Michaels said he was “skeptical” before being shown a demonstration that convinced him to move forward with the project. Speaking to Vanity Fair, Michaels said, “Frankly, it was astonishing. It was amazing,” before noting just how precise the AI model sounded, “It was not only close, it was almost 2% off perfect.”
The feature allows fans to choose up to three sports and preferred topics that will create a ten-minute video playlist curated to their interests. Michaels’ AI narration model was trained using a repository of his past work for NBC, and each clip will be reviewed for quality assurance before being pushed to users. Peacock will house the feature beginning on July 27th for the Opening Ceremonies.
The news marks Michaels’ first “assignment” for NBC since his much-maligned performance during the Chargers-Jaguars Wild Card game in 2023. Since leaving the network for Amazon’s Thursday Night Football in 2022, Michaels has served for NBC in an “emeritus” role, though has not worked in any public capacity since the 2023 NFL playoffs. Notably, NBC aired three Wild Card games in 2024, and opted against having Michaels call one of them. Instead, Mike Tirico called two games with Noah Eagle calling the third. (Variety, 6.26) (Vanity Fair, 6.26)
Dusty Baker returning to TBS studio
Former MLB manager Dusty Baker will reportedly join the TBS studio as an analyst this season, per a New York Post report on Tuesday. Baker last worked for the network in 2015, contributing coverage for the last two weeks of the regular season and playoffs. His first television duties came as an analyst for ESPN in 2006 and 2007.
Per the report, Baker will primarily work for TBS during the playoffs, while making occasional regular season appearances. The network holds rights to the ALDS and ALCS this year. Baker will be joined by the analyst trio of Pedro Martinez, Jimmy Rollins and Curtis Granderson in the TBS studio. (NY Post, 6.25)
Caffeine TV shuts doors, cites lack of profitability
Caffeine TV, the streaming platform predominantly known for its distribution of niche sports, announced it will cease operations on Wednesday. Despite citing over 60 million active monthly users, the website was not profitable.
The streaming platform most recently made headlines after inking a deal with LIV Golf back in February to broadcast the league’s Friday rounds. LIV is now left without a Friday partner for its remaining six events this season. Aside from LIV, Caffeine’s other partners included the World Poker Tour, Drew League, and World Chase Tag. (Caffeine, 6.26)
