Canadian broadcasting rights awarded for Pyeongchang 2018 and Tokyo 2020

By Nick Butler

Canadian broadcast rights for Pyeongchang 2018 and Tokyo 2020 have been awarded to CBC/Radio-Canada, it was announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today.

It continues the state broadcaster's showcasing of the Games following their widely praised coverage of Sochi 2014 earlier this year, while they also hold rights for Rio 2016.

As the lead broadcaster, they will work with partner Bell Media and Rogers Media, the consortium who held rights for London 2012.

Although the cost of the latest agreement was not disclosed. Jeffrey Orridge, CBC's Executive Director, Sports Properties and General Manager, Olympics, described the deal as "fiscally responsible".

It will provide Canadians with full access to all the excitement of the Games, it is hoped.

"We are pleased that we will continue to work with the team at CBC/Radio-Canada who have demonstrated their support for the Olympic values over many years," said IOC President Thomas Bach.

"In addition, the financial support that CBC/Radio-Canada has committed as part of this agreement will be re-distributed by the IOC to support sport in Canada and around the world, as well as supporting future organisers of the Olympic Games."

Viewers will be able to see Canada attempt to improve upon third place on the Sochi 2014 medals table in Pyeongchang ©Getty Images

Under the agreement, CBC/Radio Canada hold exclusive rights in the world's second largest country across all broadcast platforms, including free-to-air television, subscription television, internet and mobile phone in all languages.

The agreement also includes the right to broadcast all editions of the Youth Olympic Games until 2020.

The 2016 Winter Games are due to be held in Lillehammer with the 2018 Summer edition scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires.

"Today we are fulfilling a promise made in our strategic plan to take a leadership role in broadcasting the Olympic Games to all Canadians, when, where and how they want," said Hubert T. Lacroix, President and chief executive of CBC/Radio-Canada.

"As Canada's public broadcaster, we have a proud history of supporting and promoting our amateur athletes and helping to share their stories.

"The Sochi Winter Games of 2014 were the most watched in history.

"I am excited to think about what will be possible in 2018 and 2020 when, together, with our partners at Bell Media and Rogers Media, we will bring our athletes closer to home more than ever before."

CBC's coverage of Sochi 2014 was widely praised ©CBC

IOC member Gerardo Werthein, a member of the IOC's TV Rights and New Media Commission, added: "Both the IOC and our host broadcast organisation, Olympic Broadcast Services, have an excellent working relationship with CBC/Radio-Canada".