Working in collaboration with France-based international sports event television and organisation agency TV Media Sport (TVMS), Infront has secured rights distribution agreements for this year’s Olympics in a number of territories including Angola, Congo, The Gambia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Seychelles.

Operating as the exclusive media rights partner to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) across 43 countries and territories in sub-Saharan Africa, Infront has worked closely with broadcasters and National Olympic Committees in a bid to ensure comprehensive coverage in the region.

All agreements comprise the extensive rights for free-to-air transmissions of live and delayed coverage across all platforms - terrestrial, satellite and cable TV, as well as non-exclusive internet and mobile rights.

Coverage of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies is also ensured, along with at least six hours daily programming from the competitions.

"These new agreements cover the most populated countries in sub-Saharan Africa and are an important pillar in our media rights distribution strategy to increase exposure for Rio 2016 on the continent," said Stephan Herth, executive director of summer sports at Infront.

"Together with the IOC, we are well on our way to boosting the globally integrative character of the Olympic Movement and we look forward to concluding more agreements in the near future."

Infront was awarded broadcast rights in sub-Saharan Africa to Sochi 2014 and the Nanjing 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games, in addition to Rio, by the IOC in January 2014.

"We are glad to contribute in spreading the Olympic values of universality by having achieved for the first time in history, the broadcast of the three Olympic Games; Sochi 2014, Nanjing 2014 and Rio 2016 on the African continent," said Hédi Hamel, President of TVMS. 

As part of the media rights mandate for sub-Saharan Africa, Infront together with TVMS are producing a specific broadcast feed, tailored for an African audience, with six to nine hours of live content every day, as well as daily highlights and news programmes.

This includes a focus on African athletes and the most popular competitions, with the programming being further enhanced by commentary in French, English and Portuguese.

The latest contract signings form part of a campaign to increase exposure for the Olympic events.

Previously Infront and TVMS secured coverage in Tanzania with Azam Media, as well as pan-regional broadcasting by TV5Monde.