IOC Awards CCTV Chinese Broadcast Rights For '10, '12 Olympics
The IOC has awarded the broadcast rights within China for the '10 Vancouver Olympics and the '12 London Games to China state broadcaster CCTV. The net acquired the rights across all broadcast platforms, including free-to-air TV, subscription TV, Internet and mobile phone. Terms of the deal were not disclosed (IOC). UNIVERSAL SPORTS' Alan Abrahamson cited a source as saying that the CCTV deal totals $100M. The numbers are "sure to intensify the revenue-related dispute" between the IOC and USOC, because from the USOC side, the deal is "sure to be seen as further evidence of the very point former USOC [Chair] Peter Ueberroth made in outgoing remarks last year, that the discrepancy in the sums paid by U.S. companies when compared to amounts paid by others, particularly China, remains significant." Abrahamson noted the announcement late yesterday of the CCTV deal followed a meeting at the Sportaccord conference in Denver between the USOC and IOC officials that was "typically described afterward as constructive," though "no resolution was announced." Meanwhile, the IOC Exec Board yesterday was presented with a recommendation, "approved unanimously Tuesday by the influential" Association of Summer Olympic Int'l Federations (ASOIF), calling for the IOC to "give 'immediate notice' of an intention to terminate the existing agreements with the USOC and commence negotiations for a new deal." IOC Dir General Urs Lacotte said IOC President Jacques Rogge "informed ASOIF he will take this important issue up to the [Exec Board], which will be discussed" later this week (UNIVERSALSPORTS.com, 3/25). USOC VP/Int'l Relations Bob Ctvrtlik said yesterday's discussion with the IOC was a "productive meeting" (USA TODAY, 3/26).
STILL ON TRACK: London 2012 Chair Sebastian Coe Tuesday in a report to the ASOIF said that preparations for the '12 Games are "on track and in some cases ahead of schedule -- despite what he calls the 'harshest' economic climate for the Olympics in more than 30 years." Coe: "I want to reassure you that our financial planning, revenues and expenditures remain on target, and we are committed to delivering the promises we made to you" (AROUNDTHERINGS.com, 3/25).
JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS: The GLOBE & MAIL's Rod Mickleburgh notes U.S. ski jumper Lindsey Van and Canada ski jumper Katie Willis, who are among 15 female ski jumpers suing VANOC "over the decision to keep their event out" of the '10 Games, are "maintaining their all-out quest to be included" in the Games. Van and Willis yesterday traveled to the Sportaccord conference to "demand a face-to-face meeting" with Rogge, but Rogge "declined to meet with the two athletes" (GLOBE & MAIL, 3/26).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
Comcast-NBC Deal May Impact Olympic Rights
November 16, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Tagliabue To Lead USOC Advisory Group
November 13, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Probst Discusses Plan To Fix USOC Woes
November 12, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Does USOC Chair Need Longer Term?
November 10, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
USOC Marks 100 Days Until Vancouver
November 4, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Colbert Talks Speedskating On Show
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
U.S. Public Only Gets 2% Of Vancouver Tix
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
BMW Signs As London Games Tier One Partner
November 18, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Bell Canada To Provide Exclusive Oly Content
November 18, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Top Chicago 2016 Officials Well Paid
November 17, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
