CBC/Radio-Canada and International Olympic Committee extend broadcasting rights agreement

CBC/Radio-Canada have extended their partnership with the IOC to broadcast the 2022 Winter Olympics and 2024 Summer Olympics ©CBC

CBC/Radio-Canada has been awarded the exclusive Canadian broadcasting rights for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2024 Summer Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced today, marking an extension to the partnership between the two organisations.

The deal follows the broadcaster showcasing Sochi 2014, with their coverage receiving widespread praise, and they also hold the rights for next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as well as Pyeongchang 2018 and Tokyo 2020.

The IOC and CBC/Radio-Canada’s agreement also includes the right to broadcast all editions of the Youth Olympic Games until 2020, with the 2016 winter event due to be held in Lillehammer, while the 2018 edition scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires.

Lausanne, considered the Olympic capital, recently won the rights to stage the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games.

There are five bidders for the 2024 Olympics - Budapest, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Rome and Paris - with the IOC due to choose the host city at its Session in Lima in 2017.

Their coverage will include all broadcast platforms such as free-to-air television, subscription television, internet and mobile in all languages.

“CBC/Radio-Canada is a strong supporter of sport in Canada,” IOC President Thomas Bach said.

“We have extended our existing partnership until 2024, with CBC/Radio-Canada committing to continue its broadcast of the Olympic Games as well as year-round coverage of Olympic sports.

"Finally, over 90 per cent of the revenue the IOC generates from this, and indeed all of its commercial agreements, will be distributed back to support sport at all levels around the world.”

Image title — CBC's coverage of last year's Winter Olympics in Sochi was widely praised ©YouTube

Bach also revealed that both parties have agreed to a pledge to “collaborate on the global Olympic Channel project”.

The launch date of the Channel has yet to be announced though it could still come ahead of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.

“This extension agreement is a clear recognition of the exceptional coverage CBC/Radio-Canada provided for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games - the most watched Olympics in history,” President and chief executive of CBC/Radio-Canada Hubert T. Lacroix added.

“We are pleased that Canadians across the country will be able to continue to experience with their public broadcaster all the excitement of the Olympic Games, wherever and however they choose to cheer on our best athletes.”