Olympic Channel Ties Up with International Sports Federations

MADRID: The Olympic Channel has inked deals with a half-dozen International Sports Federations (IFs) to partner on content for the network.

The IFs for cycling (UCI), figure skating/speed skating (ISU), luge (FIL) and for new sports in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020—baseball/softball (WSBC), karate (WKF) and sport climbing (IFSC)—join the 27 IFs that recently entered similar pacts with the Olympic Channel.

In addition to airing live events, the Olympic Channel team is working with the IFs on partnerships that include event coverage, highlights, magazine shows, news and original programming, as well as technical business solutions. Collaborations to air live events on the network are meant to complement the IFs’ current broadcast and distribution agreements.

“We look forward to working with our IF partners to extend the reach of Olympic sports and athletes outside of the Games themselves,” said Mark Parkman, the general manager of the Olympic Channel. “Since we launched the Olympic Channel just two months ago, our IF partnerships have already contributed greatly to our programming lineup through live events, social-media content, promotion and more, ensuring that fans are able to continue their excitement of Rio and the Olympic Games all year long.”