Switzerland: Discovery, SRG SSR Olympics deal
July 6, 2016
Discovery Communications and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR) have today announced a new long-term partnership that will ensure viewers in Switzerland enjoy both broad access to the Olympic Games and the chance to follow every thrilling moment of the action on multiple platforms.
The agreement will see the next Olympic Winter Games, PyeongChang 2018, and Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020, available to Swiss audiences on SRG SSR channels and platforms (online and applications) as well as on Eurosport and the Eurosport Player. This exciting mix of free-to-air, pay-TV and digital coverage will offer viewers the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the Olympic Games.
SRG SSR will sub-license from Discovery Communications exclusive free-to-air audio visual and non-exclusive radio rights for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games and 2020 Olympic Games, delivering comprehensive in-market coverage in German, French, Italian and Romansh language. Its sub-licensing arrangement will include rights for broadcast of news-specific programs which follow the live events, while select digital rights (on demand for online and applications) have been granted to SRG SSR. Eurosport maintains rights to air all of the Olympic Games action on pay-TV and through its digital services.
The partnership further enhances the strong heritage of wide coverage of the Olympic Games for Swiss fans and will help them build excitement in the country and celebrate Switzerland’s Olympic Games successes and achievements. Audiences can also expect an enhanced viewing experience for the upcoming Games, as Eurosport shows every moment of the Games: on air, online, over the top and on the go.
Kasia Kieli, President of Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “We are proud to have the opportunity to showcase the Olympic Games and have worked hard to deliver an agreement which means viewers in Switzerland can enjoy the Olympic Games in the way that suits them best. By making the Olympic Games available on both SRG SSR and Eurosport’s range of sports services in Switzerland, we will share the extraordinary moments, and every moment, of the Olympic Games with more fans on more screens than ever before.”
Roger de Weck, Director General of SRG SSR: “I am delighted that following Rio 2016 we are able to continue to offer high quality coverage of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang and 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Sport is beauty, emotion. It creates idols and unites people in all parts of a country. Sport plays a key role in the programme strategy of the Swiss public broadcasting association.”
Roland Mägerle, Head of Business Unit Sport SRG: “The SRG will continue to offer its viewers a customised service with specific focus on Swiss athletes and teams. The Olympic Games are a key element of Service Public and within the programme strategy of SRG. We are, therefore, pleased to have found a good solution followed by productive negotiations with Discovery.”
Jean-Thierry Augustin, President, Sports and Olympic Development at Discovery Networks International said: “Our partnership with the Olympic Games has created the opportunity to bring together the traditional high quality coverage of the national broadcaster with Eurosport, the natural home of the Olympic Games in Europe and which already dedicates half its schedule to Olympic sports.
“Today’s agreement with SRG SSR is yet another demonstration of our ability to successfully cooperate with the best broadcast partners in each market, providing the country with an unparalleled quality and depth of Olympic Games coverage.”
Susanne Aigner-Drews, SVP & General Manager Germany, Austria and Switzerland at Discovery Networks Deutschland, said: “Viewers in Switzerland will be excited by the prospect of bringing together the heritage and comprehensive sports offer of SRG SSR and the ability of Eurosport to share the heroic stories of Swiss athletes all year long, helping to fuel the passion of sports fans in the country. The agreement will ensure Swiss viewers will have the complete Olympic Games experience, including every moment of the Olympic Games on all screens.”
The partnership follows Discovery Communications securing the exclusive multimedia rights for 50 countries and territories in Europe for the 2018 through the 2024 Olympic Games, announced in partnership with the International Olympic Committee in June 2015.