IOC strikes $32M deal with Arab broadcasters for rights to 2014-16 Olympics

IOC sells 2014-16 rights to Arab broadcasters

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Olympic Committee announced a deal on Thursday for 20 Arab states to broadcast the 2014 Sochi Olympics and Summer Games in 2016.

The contract with the Arab States Broadcast Union (ASBU) is believed to be worth $32 million, an increase of almost 50 percent on the $21.2 million paid for the 2010-12 package.

The ASBU members — including Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — agreed to give a prime time slot to daily highlights from the 2014 Winter Games.

They will each screen at least 200 hours of action from the 2016 Olympics on free-to-air channels, and broadcast also through subscription television, Web sites and mobile phones.

“The ASBU has been the IOC’s broadcast partner in the region since 1976,” IOC President Jacques Rogge said in a statement. “We are delighted to be able to extend our partnership … for a further four years.”

The 2016 Olympics host will be chosen by an IOC member vote in Copenhagen on Oct. 2. The candidate cities are Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.