IOC INKS AUSTRALIAN TV DEAL FOR FOUR OLYMPIC GAMES

     The International Olympic Committee announced another long-
term marketing deal, selling Australian TV rights for the 2000,
2004, 2006 and 2008 Olympic Games to The Seven Network Limited
for an estimated $140M.  The Seven Network Limited also holds TV
rights to the '98 and 2000 Games.  A group led by News Corp.'s
Rupert Murdoch is trying to buy European TV rights for the Games
for over $2B, but the IOC is "said to be looking for more" (AD
AGE ONLINE, 1/18).
     SALT LAKE IS LOVING IT: Murdoch's bid for the European TV
rights is good news to Salt Lake 2002 Olympic organizers. With
Murdoch's $2B bid, they stand to make twice as much money as
anticipated from the sales of the European TV rights.  The
organizing committee originally expected the rights to Europe,
Canada, Australia, Japan and other foreign markets to sell for
$126M (Lisa Roche, DESERET NEWS, 1/17).