Media Rights-Holders

Broadcast and digital coverage are the principal means for people around the world to experience the magic of the Olympic Games.

The IOC is the owner of the global media rights for the Olympic Games – including broadcasts on television, radio and digital platforms – and is responsible for allocating Olympic media rights to media companies throughout the world through the negotiation of media rights agreements.

Distribution of Olympic Games coverage has been the principal driver of the:

• funding of the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games
• growth of the global popularity of the Olympic Games
• global representation and promotion of the Olympic Games and the Olympic values.

The IOC’s Games coverage distribution policy

The IOC’s Games coverage distribution policy is fundamentally based on the Olympic Charter, which is the codification of the Fundamental Principles, Rules and Bye-laws adopted by the IOC. The Charter states: "The IOC takes all necessary steps in order to ensure the fullest coverage by the different media and the widest possible audience in the world for the Olympic Games."

Olympic Broadcasting Services

Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) is responsible for providing the international television and radio signals from the Games to all Media Rights-Holders around the world. The IOC established OBS in 2001 to serve as the permanent host broadcaster for the Olympic Games, eliminating the need to continually rebuild the broadcast operation for each edition of the Games. OBS ensures that the high standards of Olympic Games coverage are consistently maintained from one edition of the Games to the next.