IOC Award Exclusive Rights to Upcoming Games in 3 Territories

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded broadcast rights in Germany and France for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and the 2016 Olympic Games to ARD/ZDF France Televisions respectively. The latter also acquired the exclusive rights to the 2018 and 2020 Olympic Games, which have yet to be awarded to a host city.

Both companies have acquired the broadcast rights across all media platforms, including free-to-air television, subscription television, internet and mobile.

Speaking of the agreement with France Televisions, IOC President Jacques Rogge said: ìWe are very pleased to continue our partnership with France TÈlÈvisions. We are confident they will continue to do a fantastic job of providing the best possible broadcast coverage of the Games to the largest possible audience in France across a variety of media platforms.î

RÈmy Pflimlin, Chairman of France TÈlÈvisions, added: ìThe Olympic Games are part of the DNA of our Group, and are one the cornerstones of sports programming of France TÈlÈvisions, that is known in France as the ìwidest field of sportsî on free-to-air television. We are very pleased to renew our long time partnership with the IOC, with this agreement which is, for the first time, signed for four Olympic Games, and which will allow us to provide the Olympic Games with the widest possible coverage on all media platforms. Through this agreement, which secures our presence on the Olympic Games for the upcoming decade, we confirm our continued support to the Olympic sports.î

After announcing the deal in Germany with ARD/ZDF, Rogge said: ìWe are very pleased to continue our relationship with ARD and ZDF. They have provided fantastic broadcast coverage of the Games to the widest possible audience in Germany for many years and have demonstrated a strong commitment to the Olympic Movement.î

Ulrich Wilhelm, CEO Bayerischer Rundfunk and Director General for Sports Rights in the ARD said: “We shall continue to cover the Olympic Games in a way which will fully preserve its outstanding and unique character.”

Markus Sch‰chter, Director General of ZDF, also commented: ìThe Olympic Games are part of the world’s biggest live events. ZDF and ARD highly appreciate the award of the rights by IOC which confirms the high level standards we have reached in sports coverage.î

To cap off a busy day in awarding broadcast rights, the IOC also awarded SBS the exclusive broadcast rights in the Republic of Korea and the Democratic Peopleís Republic of Korea for the Olympic Winter Games in 2018, the 2020 Games, the 2022 Winter Games and the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad to be celebrated in 2024, all of which have yet to be awarded to a host city.

SBS have also acquired the broadcast rights across all media platforms, including free-to-air television, subscription television, internet and mobile. The agreement also includes a commitment to broadcast the Youth Olympic Games during the same period.

Rogge stated: ìWe are delighted to continue our partnership with SBS through to 2024. SBS have been our broadcast partner in the region for many years and I would like to thank them for their commitment to the Olympic Movement.î

ìThis is the first broadcast agreement we have reached for the period running to 2024.î said IOC Executive Board member Richard CarriÛn, who led the negotiations. ìThis long term agreement is testament to the continuing appeal of the Olympic Games, and we are delighted that SBS will continue to provide fantastic coverage of the Games well into the next decade.î

SBS Chairman Se-Young Yoon expressed his “great pleasure to be the first broadcaster in the world to extend our contractual partnership with the IOC through 2024.” He added that “SBS will gladly continue the support for the Olympic Movement overall and young Olympic athletes in particular.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded broadcast rights in Germany and France for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and the 2016 Olympic Games to ARD/ZDF France Televisions respectively. The latter also acquired the exclusive rights to the 2018 and 2020 Olympic Games, which have yet to be awarded to a host city.

Both companies have acquired the broadcast rights across all media platforms, including free-to-air television, subscription television, internet and mobile.

Speaking of the agreement with France Televisions, IOC President Jacques Rogge said: “We are very pleased to continue our partnership with France Televisions. We are confident they will continue to do a fantastic job of providing the best possible broadcast coverage of the Games to the largest possible audience in France across a variety of media platforms.”

Remy Pflimlin, Chairman of France Televisions, added: “The Olympic Games are part of the DNA of our Group, and are one the cornerstones of sports programming of France Televisions, that is known in France as the “widest field of sports” on free-to-air television. We are very pleased to renew our long time partnership with the IOC, with this agreement which is, for the first time, signed for four Olympic Games, and which will allow us to provide the Olympic Games with the widest possible coverage on all media platforms. Through this agreement, which secures our presence on the Olympic Games for the upcoming decade, we confirm our continued support to the Olympic sports.”

Ulrich Wilhelm, CEO Bayerischer Rundfunk and Director General for Sports Rights in the ARD said: “We shall continue to cover the Olympic Games in a way which will fully preserve its outstanding and unique character.”

Markus Schachter, Director General of ZDF, also commented: “The Olympic Games are part of the world’s biggest live events. ZDF and ARD highly appreciate the award of the rights by IOC which confirms the high level standards we have reached in sports coverage.”

To cap off a busy day in awarding broadcast rights, the IOC also awarded SBS the exclusive broadcast rights in the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for the Olympic Winter Games in 2018, the 2020 Games, the 2022 Winter Games and the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad to be celebrated in 2024, all of which have yet to be awarded to a host city.

SBS have also acquired the broadcast rights across all media platforms, including free-to-air television, subscription television, internet and mobile. The agreement also includes a commitment to broadcast the Youth Olympic Games during the same period.

Rogge stated: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with SBS through to 2024. SBS have been our broadcast partner in the region for many years and I would like to thank them for their commitment to the Olympic Movement.”

“This is the first broadcast agreement we have reached for the period running to 2024.” said IOC Executive Board member Richard Carrion, who led the negotiations.”This long term agreement is testament to the continuing appeal of the Olympic Games, and we are delighted that SBS will continue to provide fantastic coverage of the Games well into the next decade.”

SBS Chairman Se-Young Yoon expressed his “great pleasure to be the first broadcaster in the world to extend our contractual partnership with the IOC through 2024.” He added that “SBS will gladly continue the support for the Olympic Movement overall and young Olympic athletes in particular.”