• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, February 10, 2006

When consumers performed a Google search for "NBC Olympics" on Thursday, a link to a two-minute NBC-produced music video promoting the Torino games appeared above Google's natural search results, and next to it a note stating "in collaboration with NBC Olympics." The placement was the result of a partnership that NBC announced with Google on Thursday, along with a host of other initiatives to promote the Torino Games.

Under the agreement, NBC will provide Google Video with hundreds of pre-game previews and in-game 15-second previews of NBCOlympics.com that will link to NBCOlympics.com for full highlight clips, as well as post-Games clips and highlights of individual sports.

When users type Olympic-themed keywords into Google's search box, they are served the clips attached to access other Olympic-related content.

NBCOlympics.com is also serving as a provider of content for ESPN.com. Sports fans logging on to ESPN.com and clicking on "Olympics" will first see NBC's coverage of the games. Also, a daily two-minute NBC Olympics highlight package with host Bob Costas will appear in ESPN Motion video on ESPN.com, and will include promotion of NBC's prime-time coverage.

NBC has announced a slew of partnerships as it aims to get as much of the Olympics as possible--416 hours, it says--in front of as many eyeballs as possible.

Earlier this week, it announced a multi-platform cross-programming and marketing partnership with TV Guide. Per the deal, NBC is adding the TV Guide Channel, TV Guide Interactive, and TV Guide magazine to its long list of distribution channels for the games--including NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, USA Networks, Universal HD, and NBC's Spanish-language network, Telemundo.

Last week, NBC announced a partnership with About.com for coverage of the games. Under the cross-promotional agreement, NBCOlympics.com will feature links to About.com content throughout, while About.com will promote NBCOlympics.com to its visitors.

Last month, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment's Bravo and NBC Olympics said they were producing "Bravo at the Olympics," three short films that will stream on NBC's Olympics site, www.nbcolympics.com.

Also, at the beginning of the month, NBC Universal and Intel unveiled plans to provide owners of PC laptops with high-resolution programming from NBC's upcoming Torino Olympics Games. Laptop users must have either Intel Viiv technology-based or Centrino mobile technology-based PCs to get the programming. PC laptop users, using an optional remote control, will be able to select on-demand specific Olympic moments to watch.