10 May 2014

NBC extends Olympic deal

7:33 am on 10 May 2014

The American television network NBC Universal will pay $8.8 billion for the rights to the next six Olympic Games.

The agreement includes media rights across broadcast television, cable TV, internet and mobile platforms, and extends NBC's previous contract by 11 years.

NBC sealed the exclusive deal to broadcast three winter games and three summer games from 2022 to 2032 before any other media companies could even bid.

NBC and rival networks have been stocking up on live sports content, which are popular with advertisers because large audiences watch in real-time and do not skip the TV commercials.

IOC president Thomas Bach says the organization wanted to build a long-term partnership with NBC, and did not see any reason to take any risk by talking to other networks.

The host cities of the six Olympic Games have not been selected yet. The next Olympics to be decided is expected to be announced in 2015 for the winter games of 2022.

The United States has not had an Olympics since the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games and could be back in the running to host the Summer Games of 2024 because interest is gaining momentum at home and among IOC members.