beIN signs exclusive Olympics deal with IOC
August 18, 2016 Television
Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Media Group has formalised its deal with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to have exclusive Middle East and North Africa (MENA) media rights for the next four Olympic games.
The multi-territory deal, which was first agreed upon in July 2015, gives beIN exclusive rights to broadcast the Winter Olympic Games from Pyeongchang and Beijing in 2018 and 2022 respectively, along with the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 and the 2024 Games, whose host will be selected next year.
The partnership also includes that beIN Media Group and the IOC work closely together on the Olympic Channel, the IOC’s newly launched global internet TV service.
beIN Sports had previously broadcast the Olympic Games through a sub licensing arrangement. The new partnership marks the first ever direct relationship between the broadcaster and the IOC.
“I am pleased to welcome our new broadcast partner in the Middle East and North Africa, beIN SPORTS,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “With its excellent track record in broadcasting, we believe that it will provide fantastic coverage across the region of each edition of the Olympic Games, including free-to-air television coverage.
“beIN SPORTS has also committed to providing unprecedented promotion of Olympic sports all year round, including significant support for the Olympic Channel in the future.”
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman and CEO of beIN MEDIA GROUP added: “We are extremely proud to sign this long term partnership with the IOC. The Olympic Games are the world’s most treasured sporting event. This agreement reinforces beIN’s position as the undisputed market leader in MENA and reinforces our commitment to providing the most compelling sport content across the region. This agreement shows our commitment to offer beIN Sports viewers the world’s best sports events year round. We would like to thank President Bach and the IOC for committing to this long term strategic partnership and we look forward to many years of working together”.
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