CBC regains Canadian Olympic rights

02 August 2012 | Posted in Broadcast, Olympics, North America | By Michael Long

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded the Canadian broadcast rights to the 2014 and 2016 Olympic Games to CBC/Radio-Canada.

Under the terms of the multi-platform agreement, Canada’s national public radio and television broadcaster will provide coverage of the winter event in Sochi and the following summer event in Rio on free-to-air television, subscription television, internet and mobile phone in all languages. The deal also includes sub-licensing rights.   

CBC has broadcast 19 Olympics over the past 60 years, most recently the Beijing Games of 2008. The new deal sees the broadcaster regain the Olympic rights after Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium, a partnership between Bell Media and Rogers Communications, agreed a deal with the IOC for the rights to Vancouver 2010 and London 2012.

The new deal comes after CBC and Bell Media announced they would no longer submit joint bids for Olympic rights. After forming a partnership in September 2011, the two media companies made two bids but both we rejected by the IOC.

Speaking during the ongoing Games in London, CBC/Radio-Canada president Hubert Lacroix refused to comment on the value of the deal but, according to cbc.ca, he said it was based on a "very financially and fiscally responsible bid."

“This is excellent news for Canadians across the country who will once again experience the Olympic tradition with their public broadcaster,” said Lacroix in a prepared statement released on Wednesday. “We've promised Canadians marquee events on all our platforms that create opportunities to connect with each other and the country. I can't think of a greater opportunity to create those connections and generate pride than showcasing the Olympic Games and the performances of our own Canadian athletes.”

IOC executive board member Richard Carrión, who led the negotiations, added: “We are delighted to have completed this agreement with CBC/Radio-Canada. Our broadcast partners enable fans around the world to enjoy the magic of the Olympic Games, and the revenue generated by the sale of broadcast rights is absolutely critical in supporting the Olympic Games, the Olympic Movement and sport around the world.”

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