IOC awards broadcast rights to Rio Olympics to CBI
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (CMC) — An agreement for people in the Caribbean to see the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil live on television has been reached between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the CANOC Broadcasting Inc (CBI).
The (IOC) has awarded the broadcast rights in the Caribbean to the (CBI) for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, officials announced on Monday.
“Throughout the history of the Olympic Games, athletes from across the Caribbean have produced outstanding, inspirational performances,” said IOC President Thomas Bach”.
“We are pleased to have reached this agreement to enable extensive broadcast coverage of the Rio 2016 Games in the region.”
CBI has acquired broadcast rights on all media platforms in all languages in Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos.
“CBI will now work to secure broadcast partners across the region to ensure the best coverage of the Olympic Games in Rio,” said IOC Member Richard Carrión, who led the negotiations.
“The agreement includes assurances that there will be expansive free television coverage of the Games.”
(CBI) was formed by the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) across the Caribbean to manage the broadcast rights for the Olympic Games and other sporting properties.
Its mission is to develop extensive Olympic broadcast coverage that maximises the public’s awareness of National Olympic Committees, Commonwealth Games Associations, Caribbean Athletes and the Olympic Movement.
“This agreement heralds a new era for sport in the Caribbean,” said CBI’s CEO, Larry Romany.
“The economic benefits present considerable funding opportunities for developing youth in the Region and increase the viability and international competitiveness of the Caribbean athlete. We are very excited at the prospect of a more integrated approach to the development of sports.”