China promises to deliver an exciting and memorable opening ceremony.
More than 10,000 performers have been working on the blockbuster show for three years, but they have all been sworn to secrecy, and little has been disclosed about the details of the programme.
Set against the backdrop of the spectacular stadia that have been constructed for the Beijing Olympics 2008, the three-hour show will include the parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic flame.
The Olympics is not only the biggest sporting competition in the world, it is also the biggest international television event, and TVNZ, as the official rights holder for the Beijing Games, has a full production team on the ground in China, including a news and current affairs contingent, dedicated new media producers, and more than 20 commentators.
With Beijing a viewer-friendly four hours behind New Zealand, TV One's coverage of the morning sessions will begin at 12.30pm and continue through the afternoon and evening.
The afternoon session will be anchored by experienced TVNZ sports presenter Geoff Bryan.
After a break at 6pm for One News and Close Up, the evening session will begin at 7.30pm, anchored by One News presenter and former sports broadcaster, Peter Williams.
Sports broadcasters Toni Street and Lavina Good will work alongside Williams and Bryan as roving reporters, providing background stories and coverage from the sidelines.
"The Olympic movement, for its faults, has endured for 112 years, is healthier than ever, and is stronger than any other sporting or political movement.
It is about people and nations having fun together, and the sport is usually pretty good too," Williams said.
The crowds, the international mix of fans and the atmosphere they generate makes the Olympics an amazing spectator sport, he says. He is looking forward to seeing the venues, which appear to be among the most spectacular sports stadia built.
TVNZ's coverage of the Beijing Olympics will be a coming of age for New Zealand sports broadcasting.
For the first time, the Olympic Games will be free-to-air on two channels - with TV One's extensive Olympic coverage complemented by TVNZ Sports Extra (Channel 20 on the Freeview platform), a digital channel dedicated to the Games.
As well as providing twice the television action, TVNZ will be making the most of its exclusive new media rights, with an innovative and comprehensive website, including live and on demand video streaming - offering New Zealanders the ability to personalise their viewing, and the opportunity to experience the thrills and emotion of the Games anywhere, anytime.
Beijing 2008 will also be the first Olympics broadcast in high definition and Dolby 5.1 surround sound.
The Games of the XXIX Olympiad will comprise 302 events in 32 sports.
New Zealand is sending its largest team in 100 years of the country's Olympic Games participation; 185 athletes, including New Zealand's 1000th Olympian.
Coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games begins at 9.30pm.
The XXIX Olympiad runs from August 8 to 24, with coverage on TV One, TVNZ Sports Extra and tvnz.co.nz.
