IOC awards all broadcast rights in Europe to Discovery for 2018-2024 Olympic Games

Discovery acquired the rights, valued at €1.3 billion, across all platforms, including free-to-air TV, subscription/ pay-TV, Internet and mobile phone in all languages across 50 countries

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | June 30, 2015

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that all TV and multi-platform broadcast rights in Europe (except for the Russian Federation) for the four Olympic Games in the 2018–2024 period have been awarded to Discovery Communications, the parent company of Eurosport.

The announcement kicks off a long-term partnership between the biggest global sports event and Discovery Communications. With an average of 10 channels in every market, Discovery and Eurosport will deliver more coverage across more screens than ever before to over 700 million people across Europe. Discovery and Eurosport's coverage will be augmented by free-to-air access and innovative partnerships with broadcasters and distributors.

Discovery acquired the exclusive rights, valued at €1.3 billion, across all platforms, including free-to-air television, subscription/ pay-TV television, Internet and mobile phone in all languages across 50 countries and territories on the European continent. Consistent with IOC and local market requirements, Discovery has committed to broadcasting a minimum of 200 hours of the Olympic Games and 100 hours of the Olympic Winter Games on free-to-air television during the Games period. Discovery will sub-license a portion of the rights in many markets across Europe.

The agreement covers the XXIII Olympic Winter Games in Pyeong Chang in 2018, and the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo in 2020, as well as the Olympic Games in 2022 and 2024, the host cities of which have yet to be elected.

IOC President Thomas Bach remarked, “This is a significant agreement for Discovery and the IOC, and we are excited to have Eurosport, the pan-European home of Olympic sports, as a partner. This agreement ensures comprehensive coverage of the Olympic Games across Europe, including the guarantee to provide extensive free-to-air television coverage in all territories. Discovery and Eurosport have demonstrated a major commitment to the Olympic Games, to Olympic sports and to the future of the Olympic Movement. The revenue generated from this long-term partnership will be redistributed by the IOC across the Olympic Movement to support the development of sport around the world. Discovery and Eurosport have also made an exciting commitment to partner with the IOC to develop the new Olympic Channel across Europe.”

David Zaslav, President and CEO, Discovery Communications added here, “Today is a historic day as we proudly add the Olympic rings to Discovery Communications' portfolio of offerings. The long-term programming commitment with President Bach and the IOC reaffirms Eurosport's position as the leader in sports across Europe, and will significantly enhance Eurosport's presence on all platforms. With Eurosport's long-standing tradition of broadcasting many winter and summer sports showcased during the Olympics, adding the Olympic Games, the greatest live event in the world, is a perfect editorial and strategic fit. But most of all, this new partnership is an exciting win for European sports fans as we will deliver record amounts of content across platforms to ensure the Olympic flame burns bright all year long.”

Discovery and Eurosport will have access to the Olympic emblems and the rich Olympic video library and archive to help solidify Eurosport's position as the pan-European home of Olympic sports. The partners have also agreed to cooperate closely on the rollout of the IOC's Olympic Channel, taking advantage of Eurosport's online sports destination, Eurosport.com, and OTT service, the Eurosport Player.

Juan Antonio Samaranch, Executive Board Member, IOC and delegate IOC Member for European broadcast rights, said, “We are delighted to have reached this agreement, which we believe will bring fantastic coverage of the Olympic Games and the Olympic values to the largest audience in Europe across all media platforms. Discovery and Eurosport will ensure the exposure of the Olympic Games through their own TV channels and media platforms, and, where relevant, by reaching sub-licensing partnerships with other broadcasters in the various territories. Olympic fans will also benefit from comprehensive digital coverage on Eurosport's leading pan-regional digital platforms.”

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