Infront Sports & Media Secures Media Rights to Next Three Olympics for Sub-Saharan Africa

The International Olympic Committee has distributed media rights to Sub-Saharan Africa for the Olympic Games in 2014 and 2016 to sports marketing agency, sale Infront Sports & Media.

Infront will partner with TV Media Sport (TVMS), viagra the France based international sports event television and organisation agency, diagnosis to fulfil the contract which refers to distribution in 43 countries and territories within the region. It covers the rights for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The agreement comprises exclusive free-to-air television and radio rights, alongside internet and mobile rights. The programming on offer includes a live/delayed signal and highlights from all competitions as well as full coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies. In addition, TV presenting opportunities will be marketed to brands with a focus on the African market.

As part of the media rights mandate, Infront and TVMS are producing a specific broadcast feed, tailored for an African audience, for the three events. This includes a focus on African athletes and most popular competitions. The programming is further enhanced with commentary in French, English and Portuguese. 

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “This agreement reflects the global appeal of the Olympic Games, and our aim is to reach audiences in all regions across the globe with the best broadcast offering. We want to not only generate viewership for sports where African athletes already perform successfully, but also boost appeal for Olympic sports gaining popularity on the continent.” 

Richard Carrión, IOC Member who led the negotiations, added: “Infront has acquired the rights and will now work to sublicense those rights to broadcasters in the region to ensure excellent coverage of the Olympic Games for sports fans in the region. The partnership with Infront allows us to take advantage of its network across the continent, supported further by a tailor-made editorial plan for African broadcasters and their viewers.”

Stephan Herth, Executive Director Summer Sports of Infront, said: “We would like to thank the IOC for trusting in our broadcast distribution experience and ability to extend the spirit and scope of Olympic programming to an even broader audience. Our ambition is to encourage the growth of sport in Africa with a dedicated broadcast product and continue to advocate the Olympics as a worldwide event. We are looking forward to delivering the Winter Olympics to television screens in so many countries in Africa for the first time in 2014.”

Hédi Hamel, CEO of TV Media Sport, added: “After having commercialised UEFA EURO 2012 and IAAF World Championships in Athletics 2013 media rights in Sub-Saharan Africa, TV Media Sport is honoured to bring the emotions of the Olympic Games, which remain the biggest sporting event on the planet, to the African public. And I am very pleased about the excellent partnership with Infront and the IOC!”