Bell Media and CBC/Radio-Canada announced today that they have reached an agreement to form a broadcast partnership that will bid for the exclusive Canadian media rights for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
A successful bid through this new bilateral partnership will combine the strength of Bell Media and CBC/Radio-Canada’s Olympic broadcasting history in Canada to deliver to all Canadians, in English and French, the most comprehensive, diverse, and media-rich Games ever seen in this country.
“The Olympic Games are a premium property that requires a strong partnership in order to deliver the level of experience that Canadian viewers and advertising partners now expect,” said Kevin Crull, President, Bell Media. “With our combined resources and experience, this strategic alliance with CBC/Radio-Canada allows us to deliver the best possible Games experience to Canadians, and ensure the legacy of the Olympic movement in this country. Of course London 2012 is just around the corner, and we look forward to extending the successful partnership with Rogers exhibited at Vancouver 2010 into a powerful media experience for viewers once again.”
“This partnership is positive news for Canadians as it is a first and important step in renewing the Olympic tradition on all of the public broadcaster’s platforms,” said Kirstine Stewart, Executive Vice-President, English Services, CBC/Radio-Canada. “With our commitment to keep offering world-class sports events, including Olympic Games, we will continue optimizing partnership opportunities like this one for the benefit of all Canadians.”
The new broadcast partnership is independent of Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium, comprised of Bell Media (80%) and Rogers Media (20%), which will broadcast the London2012 Olympic Games next summer.
The International Olympic Committee is expected to begin the bidding process for the Canadian media rights to future Olympic Games later this year. No further details will be released until the bid process is complete.
About Bell Media Bell Media is Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media entertains, informs and inspires Canadians. Bell Media owns 28 conventional stations, including CTV, Canada’s #1 television network and lead broadcaster of the London 2012 Olympic Games, and owns and operates 29 specialty channels, including TSN, Canada’s #1 specialty channel and RDS, Canada’s #1 French-language specialty channel. Bell Media also owns 33 radio stations, dozens of websites including the Sympatico.ca portal, and Dome Productions. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.
About CBC/Radio Canada CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus seven languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada is celebrating 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada
