Discovery sign Pan-European Olympics rights from 2018

Breaking News

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

Today’s announcement kicks off a long-term partnership between the biggest global sports event, the Olympic Games, and leading global media company, Discovery Communications. With an average of 10 channels in every market and the #1 European online and OTT sports offerings, 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 strong free-to-air access and innovative partnerships with broadcasters and distributors to bring the Games to life like never before. In a world of increasingly “anytime, anywhere” viewing, the Olympic Games are an unparalleled live event that aggregate enormous audiences and capture the world’s attention in a way that continues to become more valuable for marketers, distributors and fans.


more details ……..

NEWS on OLYMPIC.ORG
29-Jun-2015 @ 13:12

The Olympics on pay-TV. I suppose it had to happen sometime.

Note that for the UK this doesn't kick in until 2022. Could cause massive problems in Ireland in 2020 with the BBC widely distributed here given the IOC's notorious litigiousness regarding their audiovisual rights.

Pretty sure the Summer games are protected under 'Crown Jewels' legislation in both Ireland and the UK.

They are - but how long before that one gets argued away. Discovery say they'll offer 200 hours FTA - so that's only about 1/3 of what the BBC showed in 2012, even without the multi screen options.

They are of course. The Irish list just says "The Summer Olympics" so it'll be interesting to see if it's argued that means everything
or if Discovery will get away with offering a limited number of hours.

I thought the entire games was protected like the World Cup not part of them. The European court of Justice upheld the principle as late as 2013. Don't see any major changes in the future.

It could cause problems in the places in europe where the BBC UK stations are carried on Cable. Ireland is a whole different kettle of fish. Under various agreements between the British and Irish Governments the BBC has to be available to those in the republic and RTE has to be available in Northern Ireland. However, I'd agree with you that might not stop the IOC complaining.

Eurosport's report

here ……..

OLYMPIC-GAMES on EUROSPORT.CO.UK
29-Jun-2015 @ 13:45

BBC News article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33311902

Has anyone seen anything of the European Games in Baku?

No? Me either.

I think the words goose and golden egg come to mind...



The Olympics aren't as popular in the western world as they were 20 or 30 years ago. This is the very time that they need to keep the exposure at it's highest. This could be a huge misstep. Then again I don't know if the IOC really care, there are plenty of big and small countries with questionable human rights records that will be willing to stage and fund the events.

I must admit there's not been a lot of fuss, compared to when Eurovision went to Baku.