In a stunning development, Discovery Communications has landed Europe’s Olympic media rights through '24 for US$1.48B (€1.3B). The U.S.-based Discovery now controls all European media rights – broadcast, pay-TV, digital and mobile – to four Olympic Games in 50 European countries and territories, excluding the Russian Federation. The deal takes effect with the '18 PyeongChang Games. Discovery and the IOC agreed on the deal about a week ago. It was announced formally this morning and covers '18 in South Korea and the '20 Games in Tokyo. Sites for the '22 and '24 Games have not been announced.
The deal means that European broadcasters – the ARD and ZDF in Germany, for example – will have to sublicense Olympic packages from Discovery if they want over-the-air access to the Games. Plus, it marks a major step forward for Discovery’s Eurosport channel and online presences, which will be a main outlet for Olympic programming. Another significant part of the deal will see the IOC partner on an Olympic TV channel with Discovery and Eurosport that will be distributed across Europe.
For more, see today’s issue of THE DAILY and our On The Ground blog.
