CBC wins back Canadian media rights for Olympic Games in 2014, 2016
August 01, 2012 - 12:18 PM
TORONTO - The Olympic Games will return to CBC.
The International Olympic Committee says the public broadcaster has won the Canadian broadcast rights to the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia and the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The CBC had broadcast 19 different Olympics for almost 60 years in Canada, most recently the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.
CTV has taken over since, broadcasting the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and the ongoing Summer Games from London.
CBC and Bell Media, which owns CTV, had formed a partnership last September before submitting two joint bids for the Olympic package, both of which were rejected by the IOC.
A little over a month ago, CBC and Bell Media announced they would no longer submit joint bids for the Games media rights.
"This is excellent news for Canadians across the country who will once again experience the Olympic tradition with their public broadcaster," said CBC/Radio-Canada president Hubert Lacroix in a statement.
"We've promised Canadians signature events on all our platforms that create opportunities to connect with each other and the country."
Added IOC president Jacques Rogge in a statement: "CBC/Radio-Canada has a wealth of experience in broadcasting sports and the Olympic Games and we are pleased that we will once again be joining forces with them in the future."
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012