LAUSANNE: The International Olympic Committee announced a deal on Thursday for 20 Arab states to broadcast the 2014 Sochi Olympics and Summer Games in 2016.
The contract with the Arab States Broadcast Union (ASBU) is understood to be worth $32 million (?23 million), an increase of almost 50 percent on the $21.2 million (?15.2 million) paid for the 2010-12 games package.
The ASBU members – including Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – agreed to give a prime time slot to daily highlights from the 2014 Winter Games.
They will each screen at least 200 hours of action from the 2016 Olympics on free-to-air channels, and broadcast also through subscription television, web sites and mobile phones.
“The ASBU has been the IOC’s broadcast partner in the region since 1976, IOC President Jacques Rogge said in a statement. “We are delighted to be able to extend our partnership … for a further four years.
The 2016 Olympics host will be chosen by IOC members in October. The candidates cities are Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. -AP
