The IOC grants the EBU and Warner Bros Discovery the exclusive rights of the Olympic Games from 2026 to 2032 in Europe

MADRID, 16 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded all the audiovisual rights in Europe of the four Olympic Games in the period 2026-2032 to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Warner Bros Discovery.

The EBU and Warner Bros. Discovery submitted a joint bid in the public tender to acquire all media rights in 49 European countries for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, Los Angeles 2028, the 2030 Winter Olympic Games and Brisbane 2032, as well as as for the Youth Olympic Games of that period.

The president of the IOC, Thomas Bach, was "delighted" with the long-term agreement. "EBU and its members bring unparalleled broadcasting experience and reach across Europe, and Warner Bros. Discovery represents one of the world's largest media and entertainment companies across all genres of content and platforms. This shows the continued appeal of the Olympic Games across Europe.As the IOC redistributes 90% of the revenue it generates, this long-term agreement also provides critical financial stability to the wider sporting movement and ultimately supports the athletes themselves," he said.

The IOC's first association with the EBU and its members dates back to 1956. This new agreement guarantees free broadcasting of the Games through the EBU's network of public service broadcasters, such as RTVE. Starting in 2026, the EBU will have the rights to broadcast on television and digital platforms. Each EBU member will broadcast more than 200 hours of the Summer Olympic Games and at least 100 hours of the Winter Olympic Games on television, with extensive radio coverage, live broadcasts and reports through web platforms, applications and networks social.

The president of the EBU and CEO of France Télévisions, Delphine Ernotte Cunci, assured that the agreement "changes the rules of the game for the public service media and demonstrates the permanent strength and solidarity of our Union." "EBU has the potential to reach over a billion viewers across Europe through linear and non-linear platforms," ​​she underlined.

The president and CEO of Warner Bros Discovery Sports Europe, Andrew Georgiou, said his company is already "the home of the Olympic Games in Europe." "We are grateful to partner with the EBU on the next leg of our Olympic journey, expanding on our commitment made together with the IOC in 2015 to reach more people through wide-ranging and accessible coverage," he said, recalling that they will cover " every moment" of the Games on its streaming and digital platforms, such as its sports and entertainment streaming service discovery and the Eurosport App, as well as having all pay-TV rights, including channels owned and operated by Eurosport.

Warner Bros. Discovery and the EBU have recently offered the World Cup and Biathlon World Championships, as well as a large number of summer sporting events, such as the Athletics World Championships and grand tours such as the Tour de France and La Vuelta.