The International Olympic Committee has furthered its ties with the Japan Consortium of broadcasters ahead of the 2020 summer Olympic Games in Tokyo by agreeing a new partnership centred on the Olympic Channel digital platform.
The Japan Consortium includes public-service broadcaster NHK and the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association (JBA).
The new agreement, which covers linear and digital platforms, runs through 2024 and includes linear programming blocks and digital presence, including embedded video across the networks within the Japan Consortium under the Olympic Channel brand.
Mark Parkman, general manager of the Olympic Channel, said: “This new partnership is the first step toward localisation in Japan to further engage fans and new audiences with the Olympic Channel brand in between the Games as we strive to create even more excitement ahead of Tokyo 2020.”
The new partnership complements the Olympic Channel, which launched as a worldwide digital platform following the closing ceremony of the 2016 summer Olympic Games. Through collaborations with the IOC’s rights-holding broadcast partners, the Olympic Channel is developing localised versions in a bid to provide more personalised experiences for Olympic fans.
In June 2014, the Japan Consortium extended its Olympic Games rights deal through to the 2024 summer edition of the multi-sport event.
Under the deal with the IOC, the consortium acquired rights in Japan for the 2018 winter Games in Pyeongchang, Korea and the 2020 summer Olympics in the Japanese capital, as well as the rights for the 2022 and 2024 Olympic Games, which will be held in Beijing and Paris, respectively.