Azam-Infront deal set to provide record Olympic coverage in Tanzania

Tanzania-based pay-television operator Azam Media has acquired exclusive broadcast rights to the 2016 Olympic Games in its home country.

The agreement, brokered by the Infront Sports & Media agency, comprises the exclusive rights for free-to-air transmissions across all platforms – terrestrial, satellite and cable television, as well as non-exclusive rights for internet and mobile.

A live/delayed feed from next year’s summer Games in Rio de Janeiro will be provided through Azam’s DTV and ZBC2 channels – with at least six hours of daily coverage from the competitions ensured, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.

Stephan Herth, executive director of summer sports at Infront, said: “Similar to many other sub-Saharan countries, this is the first time ever that Tanzania will receive such an extensive coverage of the Olympic Games. Our target is to further boost visibility for the Olympic sports events across Africa and underline the globally integrative character of the Olympic Movement. We look forward to announcing additional agreements in the near future.”

Infront’s mandate with the International Olympic Committee relates to media rights distribution in 43 countries and territories in sub-Saharan Africa. Infront is supported operationally by the France-based television and organisation agency TV Media Sport to fulfil the contract.

Infront, together with TVMS, is producing a specific broadcast feed, tailored for an African audience, and comprising six to nine hours of live content every day, as well as daily highlights and news programmes.

This includes a focus on African athletes and the most popular competitions, with the programming being provided with commentary in French, English and Portuguese.