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NBC’s “Today” came to Orlando to announce big news: Diagon Alley, the expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, will open July 8.

But that news didn’t air live in Central Florida. How do you like that irony?

The announcement, which theme-park fans have been waiting for, aired in the 9 a.m. hour nationally.

Central Florida viewers didn’t see the “Today” exclusive from Universal Orlando Resort until 10 a.m. NBC affiliate WESH-Channel 2 airs “Live With Kelly and Michael” at 9 a.m.

The Diagon Alley announcement was another example of corporate synergy. NBC and Universal Orlando are part of NBCUniversal. “Today” sent four of its stars for the visit: Al Roker, Natalie Morales, Willie Geist and Tamron Hall.

Roker did the honors in revealing the date of Diagon Alley’s grand opening.

“Today” spotlighted the theme park in other ways. Morales and her family learned theme-park strategies on saving money and time. Roker and Hall sampled Harry Potter food.

Three “Harry Potter” stars helped promote Diagon Alley in a “Today” intervew: Helena Bonham Carter, who played Bellatrix Lastrange; Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) and Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid).

They stressed that the movie set was simpler and far different from the detailed Diagon Alley. Bonham Carter compared Diagon Alley to climbing into a book. “You don’t have to imagine much. We had to act,” she said.

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The NBC program also visited Gatorland and WhirlyDome.

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon has been giving Universal Orlando a big and very effective promotional push by bringing “The Tonight Show” here this week. He continues to offer shows Wednesday and Thursday.