IOC, SPORTFIVE Ink Olympics Deal

LAUSANNE: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has tapped SPORTFIVE International to represent all media rights to the 2014 and 2016 Olympic Games in numerous markets across Europe, ending a long-running relationship with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

The IOC has worked with the EBU for more than 50 years to clinch broadcast deals on the Olympic Games, including the 2008 games in Beijing and the 2012 games in London. Last year, it rejected EBU’s offer for the 2014 and 2016 events as being too low.

SPORTFIVE will represent the free-to-air, pay-TV, Internet and mobile rights to the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and the XXXI Summer Olympic Games, in 40 European markets, excluding Italy (where a deal was already clinched with SKY Italia), Turkey (the games were awarded to Fox Turkey), Spain, France, Germany and U.K. In those latter four markets, the IOC will begin direct negotiations with broadcasters "in due course."

SPORTFIVE is mandated with ensuring that each country covered in the deal broadcasts at least 200 hours of free-to-air television coverage for the Summer Olympic Games and 100 hours for the Winter Olympic Games. The IOC is seeking the same requirements in the markets with which it is negotiating directly.

IOC’s VP, Thomas Bach, who led the SPORTFIVE negotiations, noted: "This agreement will ensure that Olympic fans across Europe have as much choice as possible in how they follow the Olympic Games across a variety of platforms. The agreement will also generate significant revenues, which will be distributed throughout the Olympic Movement, including to the International Sports Federations, the National Olympic Committees and the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, to help stage the Olympic Games and ensure the development of sport across the world. I would like to thank all the organisations that participated in the tender for their hard work and their continued interest in the Olympic Movement."