2014By Ken Fang on

The International Olympic Committee is looking to launch an over-the-top digital channel in 2015 similar to what the National Football League and the WWE have done with their own ventures. And while the jury is out on whether NFL Now and WWE Network will be successful, the IOC is beginning to set the groundwork to launch a digital channel that would be made available directly to consumers without having to go through a cable or satellite provider and battle carriage issues.

Sports Business Journal reports an Olympic network would be a mixture of archived material and live programming featuring Olympic sports coming from various international sports federations (for example track and field from the IAAF or swimming events from FINA). IOC President Thomas Bach campaigned on a pledge to get an Olympic network launched.

And when NBC extended its rights to air the Olympics through 2032, it gave the IOC $100 million as a signing bonus to promote the Olympic movement and Olympic values. The IOC isn’t saying what it’s using that money for, but if the committee’s members agree to push forward with an Olympic Network, more than $100 million would be earmarked toward the launch of the digital channel.

The IOC would look to get the channel on a few cable and satellite providers where the Olympic movement is strongest, but overall, it’s looking to bring this directly to consumers.

This is not the first time such a venture has been announced. Back in 2009 before it purchased NBCUniversal, Comcast signed an agreement with the U.S. Olympic Committee to launch the US Olympic Network or USON, however, after the IOC and NBC raised concerns about the channel infringing on their rights, the channel was killed. Now with Comcast owning NBCUniversal, it has a long-term partnership with the IOC and we’ll see if it will produce content that will stream on the channel or even take some of its programming for airing on television later.

It’s a brave new world for digital (see: the launch of WWE Network) and the Olympics is looking to get a piece of the action.

[Sports Business Journal]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

View all posts by Ken Fang

Comments are closed.