The International Olympic Committee is working out details for TV rights for the next two Olympics. The IOC is currently “feeling out” offers for the 2014 and 2016 Olympic games. The three companies – NBC, Fox and ESPN – are all thought to have legitimate chances to negotiate a deal.
For NBC, it might seem easy. The network has been the longtime home to the games for the United States. Plus the recent merger with Comcast could allow the network to broadcast the games on more than just the NBC family of channels. The only hiccup is Dick Ebersol’s retirement. Without Ebersol pitching for the Games, Comcast might ease off the bidding.
Fox can attract a younger audience and plans to carry the games live and the network has already picked up the rights in other countries. The one set-back is Fox has never covered an event of this size.
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Sports, can broadcast events on ABC. Giving them two separate channels to simultaneously broadcast the games. Add to that the infinite number of ESPN Channels and ESPN3.com and the IOC might have a tough time passing on them. Also, every American sports fan equates sports with ESPN. The IOC, though, might balk at the idea of selling broadcast rights to a cable-first broadcast company.
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