YouTube Signs Deal To Stream Olympic Content In 77 Territories
Google and the IOC have reached an agreement for YouTube to "provide about three hours a day of exclusive content from the IOC's Olympic Broadcasting Services on a dedicated channel during the Games," according to Chao & Vascellaro of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The content includes "highlight reels and daily wrap-ups but not live coverage," and will be available in 77 territories that do not have exclusive VOD rights holders, including South Korea, India and Nigeria. YouTube users in the U.S. and other markets where the IOC has "sold digital [VOD] rights on an exclusive basis will be blocked from viewing the footage." IOC Dir of Television & Marketing Services Timo Lumme: "For the first time in Olympic history we will have complete global online coverage." YouTube Dir of Partnerships for Europe, the Middle East & Africa Patrick Walker said that the IOC will "supply and upload the content -- an estimated 500 to 800 segments over the course of the Games." Chao & Vascellaro note the content is "expected to reach only about 200 million people, because the territories covered have relatively small numbers of online-video viewers" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/5). The IOC said that "limited online coverage was available to a handful of territories" during the '04 Athens and '06 Turin Games. The organization added that the financial deal "is tiny compared to the traditional TV rights deals and completely different in nature given that essentially it is using the Youtube platform." There will be no promotional rights nor use of logos (REUTERS, 8/5). BRAND REPUBLIC's Louisa Barnett reports YouTube will "be able to sell adverts around its Olympic channel, but only to Olympic sponsors" (BRANDREPUBLIC.com, 8/5). A source said that YouTube and the IOC will "split revenue from advertisements sold." This deal marks the first free VOD service managed by the IOC. A selection of clips will be available beginning tomorrow at YouTube.com/beijing2008 (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 8/5).
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