Sportfive channel seals Olympic deal with IOC
Israel's Channel 1 loses rights to broadcast future Olympic Games as Sports Channel acquires broadcasting rights for 2016 Rio Olympics
For the first time since Israel began broadcasting the Olympic Games in the country, Channel 1 will not be the station to broadcast them, as Ynet recently learned that the Sports Channel (Sportfive) has acquired the broadcast rights for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The broadcast rights for the Russia winter Olympics were also purchased by the station.
Up until agreement, Channel 1 had the exclusive rights to broadcast the Olympics in Israel.
The deal signed between the International Olympic Committee and Sportfive was made possible after the IOC changed the way in which the broadcasting rights were normally sold. Prior to signing the agreement, the rights to broadcast the Games were directly transferred to the publically-owned broadcasting station in the country.
It is not yet known if further agreements between the Sports Channel and other broadcasting companies in Israel will be signed.
The IOC is the owner of the global broadcast rights for the Olympic Games – including broadcasts on television, radio, mobile and internet platforms.
Channel 1's loss of the broadcasting rights is a heavy blow to the station that, according to recently published data, managed to significantly increase its ratings by 300% during the broadcasting of the London Olympics.
Further reports indicate the Israel's Broadcasting Authority earned NIS 6 million ($1.5 million) from sponsorship deals during the Summer Games.
In 2012, the Olympic Games were also broadcast by radio, mobile, internet and smartphone applications.
