There is nothing better than watching live sports. With a time difference of 13 to 19 hours between Tokyo and anywhere in the U.S., watching live coverage means getting multiple wake-up calls in the middle of the night.

Case in point, if I wanted to watch the U.S. women's soccer team draw 0-0 with Australia in a boring, practical game, I would have had to get up at 4:00 AM EST. I'm a big fan of soccer and winning four World Cups in a row, but I love sleeping through the night just as much.

So what's a sports fan to do who wants to get at least six hours of sleep on a school night, and Peacock's streaming service, Tokyo Tonight, has become my go-to during the start of the Olympics. I already pay $4.99 a month for Peacock's premium tier, but Tokyo Tonight is apparently available to anyone who signs up for the free version. I encourage you to check it out.

As detailed in our guide on how to watch the Tokyo Olympics, there are many ways to follow the Olympics beyond tuning in to NBC in the US and throwing the remote control out the window. But if you're looking for a quick recap of the day's big events, Peacock's "Tokyo Tonight" offers exactly the kind of highlights that will scratch your Olympic itch.

Even better, if you've cut the cable cord, as I have, Peacock's Olympic highlights give you a way to sample what's happening in Tokyo now that NBC's various cable channels are no longer an option.

Peacock's "Tokyo Tonight" airs live nightly from 7:30 p.m. ET until midnight, with hosts Kenny Main and Cali Champion recapping the events and "live" look-ins (which are really just reruns of what has already happened) If you grew up watching Olympic coverage in the 1970s and 1980s (hello, older folks), you'll be totally familiar with the format.

There is certainly a bias toward showcasing American athletes and stories, but if you are looking for a more international broadcast, grab your VPN and head over to the BBC or "Discovery+". What I appreciate about Peacock's approach is that popular events - gymnastics and swimming are well covered - can be seen. Last night, triathlon highlights, canoe slalom, mountain biking, and archery were all broadcast. By zooming in on a virtual map of Tokyo to watch each event, the viewer can feel as if he or she were there.

Tokyo Tonight may have a bit too many interview segments for my taste, but for the most part it omits the feature stories that NBC's mainstream coverage tends to be loaded with. Overall, it is a well-produced program and a great way to get an update on the Olympics without having to hand over your schedule to the International Olympic Committee for the next week or so. "Tokyo Tonight" allows you to go in and out of the newscasts, which I think is an approach many people prefer.

Will Tokyo Tonight be a good enough reason to get Peacock? It probably is, since it is part of the free tier. But ultimately, the decision depends on how passionate you are about the Olympics. Because after watching the first few episodes of Peacock's free tier, I was able to watch the remaining Girls5Eva and Rutherford Falls episodes. They also get additional Olympic goodies, including on-demand playback of some events and more extensive basketball coverage.

It should also be noted that Peacock's premium tier costs only $4. For $99, if you decide to pull the trigger for additional Olympic content, you can always cancel your subscription once the Tokyo cauldron disappears at the closing ceremony on August 8. Especially since Peacock is the primary means of watching live Team USA basketball games.

Peacock has come under some fire for the way it handles commercials and its pricing structure. But Tokyo Tonight absolutely delivers, and offers cord cutters a way to not be shut out of the Olympic fever.