Beijing 2022 engages China Media Group in broadcast tie-up

The Beijing Organising Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (BOCOG) has signed two co-operation agreements with state media company China Media Group.

The partnership will involve the formation of a communications and co-operation mechanism between the two parties to enhance BOCOG’s broadcast plans for the Games, according to state news agency Xinhua.

CMG will harness 5G, 4K, 8K and AI technology to aid the production of Olympics-related content, enhancing the production levels of Chinese broadcasting on winter sports events.

CMG will also produce and provide content for international broadcasters from the ‘Meet in Beijing’ winter sports events series, according to Yutang Sports. Meet in Beijing is an annual arts festival and is featuring Olympics-related content ahead of Beijing 2022.

China Media Group was formed in 2018 through the merger of state broadcaster CCTV, China National Radio and China Radio International. CCTV holds Olympics broadcast rights in a deal running from 2018 to 2024.

BOCOG said its preparations are on track as it passed the 500-days-to-go mark on Monday.

Construction work on two venues, the National Biathlon Centre and National Cross Country Centre, was completed as planned on Tuesday. The National Cross Country Centre, together with the nearby National Ski Jumping Centre, make up the Nordic Centre for the event.

According to Xinhua, all Games venues are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.