NBC/USOC/IOC open door to Olympic Channel

We have a new linear sports network. The IOC, the United States Olympic Committee and NBCUniversal are partnering to launch an Olympic Channel content and distribution partnership in the US that will see a new network under the “Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA” brand. The channel will launch in the second half of 2017 with the new platform complementing the digital Olympic Channel, which launched earlier this year. The partnership also brings additional coverage of Olympic sports programs that will appear exclusively on other NBCU platforms starting with this weekend’s Team USA Winter Champions Series and see collaboration to produce and distribute Olympic sports and Olympic-themed programming on a year-round basis.

“Through this exciting new partnership with the USOC and NBCUniversal, we will ensure that U.S. audiences are more closely connected with the Olympic Movement through a more personalized experience,” said Mark Parkman, general manager of the Olympic Channel. “The evolution of the Olympic Channel in the United States is a significant milestone as we expand our distribution options across the globe in conjunction with our broadcast and National Olympic Committee partners. Placing a spotlight on Olympic sports outside of the Games themselves will ultimately bring them more deserved attention and help them grow.”

“This is wonderful news for fans of Olympic athletes and Olympic sports, and we’re proud to partner with the IOC and USOC to bring the vision of the Olympic Channel to life in the United States,” said Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics. “The Olympic Channel partnership will provide multiple, year-round platforms to highlight the incredible achievements and inspiring stories of Olympic athletes and the Olympic values they represent, including a full-time home for Olympic sports when we launch the new linear channel in 2017.”

“The Olympic channel launch is yet another opportunity to provide more value to our fans by connecting them with a new media outlet to showcase our athletes who are striving to be best in the world in Olympic skiing and snowboarding. We applaud NBCUniversal’s continued commitment to expanding the reach of ski and snowboard programming, and the partnership with both USOC and IOC,” said Michael Jaquet, Chief Marketing Officer at the US Ski and Snowboard Association.

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