On Monday, 5th June 2016, Olympic Channel Services (OCS) announced that it has to date reached cooperation agreements with 27 International Sports Federations - including FIS - to collaborate on content for the Olympic Channel, marking another significant step on progress toward launch.
The Olympic Channel is a digital-first, multiplatform global Olympic media entity, which aims to broadcast the Olympic Movement and its inherent values all year round, especially in the periods between the Olympic Games.
The Channel will broadcast live sports events, news and athlete stories, as well as historical Olympic footage and official films from the IOC’s archives. There will also be a focus on educational and youth-oriented programming, sustainability, sports science and nutrition, and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.
At launch, the Olympic Channel will be a digital platform, with on-demand content available across the web, mobile, tablet and other connected devices where fans can experience the power of sport and Olympism 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. Audiences will also be able to access content and engage through a variety of social media platforms as part of the Olympic Channel network.
IOC President Thomas Bach, who recently chaired a joint Olympic Channel Board of Directorsmeeting at the newly inaugurated OCS facilities in Madrid, said: “The Olympic Channel will mark a major shift in how the Olympic Movement connects with young people all year round. The International Federations have embraced the Olympic Channel and we look forward to working with them on the exciting programming and promotional opportunities. The newly formed Olympic Channel team is making steady progress, with the emphasis on ensuring the product is right and the quality of the programming matches our ambition. We look forward to announcing the 2016 launch date in the coming weeks.”
The Olympic Channel collaborations aim to complement the International Federations’ current broadcast and distribution arrangements. The Olympic Channel team is currently working with the IFs to create innovative partnerships, including live event coverage, highlights, magazine shows, news coverage and original programming.
The IFs with whom OCS has concluded agreements include:
- Badminton World Federation (BWF)
- International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
- International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF)
- International Boxing Association (AIBA)
- International Canoe Federation (ICF)
- International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI)
- International Fencing Federation (FIE)
- International Golf Federation (IGF)
- International Gymnastic Federation (FIG)
- International Hockey Federation (FIH)
- International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
- International Judo Federation (IJF)
- International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM)
- International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)
- International Ski Federation (FIS)
- International Swimming Federation (FINA)
- International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
- International Tennis Federation (ITF)
- International Triathlon Union (ITU)
- International Weightlifting Federation (IWF)
- United World Wrestling (UWW)
- World Archery Federation (WA)
- World Curling Federation (WCF)
- World Rowing Federation (FISA)
- World Rugby (WR)
- World Sailing (WS)
- World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)
In addition to on-going discussions with other IFs, the Olympic Channel Services team is working to build and strengthen collaborations, including with athletes, National Olympic Committees, Rights-Holding Broadcasters (RHBs), Worldwide TOP Partners, Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, candidate cities, recognised sports organisations, as well as with major digital and social media platforms.
Source: fis-ski.com
