Seoul-based SBS gets local broadcast rights for future Olympics

SEOUL, July 5 (Yonhap) -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded Seoul-based SBS the exclusive local broadcast rights to Olympic Games until 2024. In a statement released Monday, the IOC said SBS has received rights to the 2018 Winter Olympics, 2020 Summer Olympics, 2022 Winter Olympics and 2024 Summer Olympics. It is the first broadcast deal with the IOC that goes through 2024. Host cities for these Games have not been determined. South Korea's PyeongChang is in the running for the 2018 Winter Olympics and the vote on the host is scheduled for Wednesday in Durban, South Africa, during the 123rd IOC Session. SBS already owns the local rights to the 2012 London Summer Olympics, the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics. It was the exclusive local broadcaster of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. "We are delighted to continue our partnership with SBS through to 2024," IOC President Jacques Rogge said in a statement. "SBS (has) been our broadcast partner in the region for many years and I would like to thank them for their commitment to the Olympic Movement." According to the IOC, SBS has rights across all platforms, covering free-to-air television, subscription television, Internet and mobile services. "This long-term agreement is testament to the continuing appeal of the Olympic Games," said IOC Executive Board member Richard Carrion, who led the negotiations. "And we are delighted that SBS will continue to provide fantastic coverage of the Games well into the next decade." Yoon Se-young, chairman of SBS, said his station will "gladly continue its support for the Olympic Movement overall and young Olympic athletes in particular."