NBC nabs rights to competitive swimming events

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - NBC Sports isn't going to have to wait long to experience the Michael Phelps ratings effect again.

The network said it will broadcast the 2009 World Swimming Championship from Rome and the 2009-11 USA Swimming National Championships. Financial terms of the deal with USA Swimming weren't announced. NBC already has the rights to the 2012 U.S. Olympics swimming trials and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

It will be a little less than a year between Phelps' Olympic triumphs in Beijing and coverage of the Rome event in July and August 2009. Phelps has said he will continue to swim competitively through the 2012 games.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter