NBC, which has paid the International Olympic Committee billions of dollars for the exclusive U.S. television and digital rights to the games, has scarcely broken from its wall-to-wall sports coverage to report on any of the more troubling aspects surrounding China.

Since opening day, Tirico and NBC’s other hosts haven’t said another word about the diplomatic boycott (which India has also joined) or a long list of other issues, such as the Chinese government’s oppression in Tibet, its crackdown in Hong Kong, its threats to invade Taiwan, its aggression in the South China Sea, or its lack of cooperation in international efforts to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic…

What’s more, NBC may be in the strongest position of any broadcaster in the world to withstand criticism from China or the International Olympic Committee by raising issues that go beyond the arena. Its rights payments to the IOC — some $7.75 billion, covering six Olympics until 2032 — account for as much as 40 percent of the international organization’s revenue, giving NBC ample clout and leverage…

In a conference call with reporters on Thursday, an executive producer said the network hadn’t requested an interview with Peng [Shuai], despite her presence at times just a few feet from NBC’s cameras at the Games.