SOCOG has received the IOC Exec Board's "approval in
principle for a plan that will permit broadcasting companies
... that have not purchased the exclusive rights to
televise" the 2000 Games to "film limited footage with the
main cluster of Olympic competition venues in the
background" (Mike Gorrell, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 4/19). The
plan calls for the Olympic Coordination Authority to issue
on a "rotating basis" eight permits per day to int'l non-
rights-holders and eight to Australian non-rights-holders.
But broadcasters "will be prohibited from filming inside the
stadiums, filing live reports or interviewing athletes
outside the venues." The IOC has accredited 140 non-rights-
holders for Sydney, "suggesting the competition will be
fierce for the daily permits" (AP, 4/19).
TV DEAL: PAX TV formally announced its deal with NBC
that will see PAX cover the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, with
38 hours airing over 14 consecutive Saturday nights this
summer. In addition to coverage of diving, gymnastics,
swimming and track & field, PAX will feature anthology-style
coverage of archery, canoeing, cycling, equestrian,
marathon, rowing, sailing, triathlon, volleyball, water
polo, weightlifting and wrestling (PAX).
