THE future of Olympics coverage on the BBC is uncertain after Eurosport secured a €1.3 billion (£920 million) rights deal for the Games.
The BBC has covered the Olympics since 1960 but the decision by the International Olympic Committee to sell to Eurosport means the broadcaster will lose control of coverage from 2022.
The BBC had 2,500 hours of live coverage from the London 2012 Games and 650 hours from the Sochi winter Olympics. Eurosport has committed to broadcasting only 200 hours of summer Olympics and 100 hours of winter Games on free-to-air television and says in many territories it will sub-license rights back to a terrestrial broadcaster — possibly but not necessarily the BBC.
A BBC statement said: “It is not unprecedented for sports rights to be sold on a pan-territory basis and the BBC has acquired other sports rights via sub-licensing deals with either agencies or broadcasters.
“We will be seeking further discussions about the UK free-to-air rights to the 2022 and 2024 Olympic Games in due course.”
IOC president Thomas Bach said there was “ample time” for the BBC to negotiate a deal.
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