Expanded Olympic Coverage for Athens 2004

The IOC today concluded two agreements that will lead to a significant increase of TV coverage of the upcoming Olympic Games throughout the African continent.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) renewed its long-standing partnership with the Olympic Movement with an agreement for all terrestrial broadcast rights for South Africa for the 2004 Games in Athens and the 2008 Games in Beijing. SABC will broadcast 13 hours of the Athens Games every day compared to 10 hours for Sydney.

For the rest of the African continent, the Union of National Radio and Television Organisations of Africa (URTNA) will distribute a dedicated African feed of the Athens Games to its members.

Commenting on the agreement, SABC CEO Peter MATLARE said, “We are proud to offer greatly expanded coverage of the two forthcoming Olympic Games to over 3 million additional homes in South Africa. SABC has been broadcasting the Games since 1992 and has always been committed to providing wide and high quality coverage throughout all South African territories”.

URTNA Secretary General Andrew SESINYI said, “We are extremely pleased with this agreement. Thanks to our dedicated feed in English, French and Portuguese, and, for the first time, our own unilateral cameras in Athens, African viewers will be able to experience the Olympic Games as never before”.

The satellite rights for Africa were awarded last year to Supersport Mnet, which will provide broad coverage of the Athens Games.

IOC President Jacques ROGGE commented, “Expanding TV coverage of the Olympic Games is important to the Olympic Movement, which strives to bring the Olympic experience to the maximum number of viewers across the globe. With these two agreements, the IOC is ensuring that a record number of African viewers can watch their heroes go for the gold in Athens and share their emotions during the 16 days of competition”.