Comcast Plans U.S. Olympic Network

July 9, 2009 World Screen

COLORADO SPRINGS/PHILADELPHIA: Comcast Corporation is working with the U.S. Olympic Committee to launch a new cable channel, U.S. Olympic Network (USON), next year after the Vancouver Games, in a move that has been criticized by the International Olympic Committee.

Broadcasting year-round and using multiple platforms, including TV, VOD and online, the destination will focus on American athletes as they work to reach the Olympic Games. The channel will deliver live coverage of championship competitions and, after 2012, Olympic trial events in a wide range of sports, plus live, non-stop news reports, commentary, interviews from the locations of future Olympic and Paralympic Games, and classic Olympic footage. The lineup will also include movies and documentaries, original series, instructional programming and talk shows.

"The U.S. Olympic Network will be a dream come true for fans of the Olympic Games, delivering rich year-round content associated with the world’s greatest sporting competitions," said Stephanie Streeter, acting CEO of the USOC. "By bringing the stories, competitions and history of the Olympic Movement into American homes year-round, the USOC hopes to not only inspire a new generation of athletes but also to educate young people about the ideals and values of the Olympic movement. And, we believe strongly that the USON can also serve as a template that can be used in other parts of the world to expand access to the Olympic experience. Plus, the USON’s unparalleled year-round exposure of the Olympic brand—already one of the world’s most recognized and respected—will generate compelling opportunities for Olympic sponsors to expand their association with the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement. At the same time, we believe it will enhance interest in and viewership of Olympic-related coverage on broadcast networks. We are excited to work with all of our partners, and everyone associated with the Olympic Movement, to establish the USON as the foremost full time channel for Olympic-related content."

The IOC, meanwhile, was reportedly not pleased with the USOC and Comcast announcement. According to the AP, IOC says it had not given its approval to the new venture, which raises "complex legal and contractual issues," and could cause tensions with NBC, which has the broadcast rights for the games in the U.S.