The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Nine Entertainment Co. has been awarded the exclusive free and subscription audio-visual rights, and non-exclusive audio rights to the Summer and Winter Olympic Games from 2024-2032.
Commencing in July 2024 with the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Nine will broadcast the next five Olympic Games in Australia, including Milan (2026), Los Angeles (2028), and the yet to be announced 2030 Winter Games, all leading up to Australia’s return to hosting an Olympic Games in Brisbane in 2032.
Nine will bring the images and sounds of the Games to audiences using its streaming, television, audio and digital platforms, across 9Now, Stan, the 9Network, and talk radio stations 2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR. Full coverage will also be delivered across Nine’s suite of print and online publishing platforms: The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times, WA Today, The Australian Financial Review, and nine.com.au.
IOC President, Thomas Bach, said: “Australia is a great sporting nation with a long Olympic history which will be taken to new heights with the hosting of the Olympic Games Brisbane 2032. Our new partnership with Nine will ensure Olympic fans across Australia have unparalleled coverage of the Olympic Games on their platform of choice.”
Mike Sneesby, CEO of Nine, said: “This partnership with the IOC is an important part of Nine’s strategy as we continue to define Australian broadcast and streaming television. We’re delighted to be bringing the Olympics Games to Australian audiences, whenever and however they choose from Paris 2024 to Brisbane in 2032.
“These rights complement our recently renewed partnerships with the NRL and Tennis Australia at a time when live sport continues to demonstrate its ability to drive strong growth in streaming audiences and strength in free-to-air TV consumption. Importantly, this deal enables Nine to make the Olympic Games accessible to all Australia, across more platforms than ever before.”
“For our audiences, advertisers and teams across Australia, today’s announcement brings the Olympic Games home to Nine, and directly reflects our purpose – Australia Belongs Here.”
Nine’s Chief Sales Officer, Michael Stephenson, said: “The Olympic Games is a marketing platform for brands with unrivalled scale. Over the next 10 years we have the opportunity to build long term strategic plans with our partners and sponsors to grow their brands and build their business. Everything is building towards an Aussie Olympics in Brisbane in 2032.
“As the exclusive media network of the most iconic and prestigious sporting event on the calendar, Nine can offer our commercial partners marketing opportunities at scale in an unrivalled Total TV, Total Audio and Total Publishing environment – all delivered in an environment of stories, experiences and performances from the very best athletes and teams in the world.”
Over the next decade, Nine’s Wide World of Sports (WWOS) will assemble a team of experts to continue the country’s Olympic journey. Together, they will deliver thousands of hours of Olympic content across Nine’s suite of platforms to connect with sports fans.
Michael Healy, Nine’s Director of Television, said: “From our unbeatable network of assets, to the world-class class coverage delivered by the country’s best presenters, commentators and experts, Nine is undeniably the true home of the Olympic Games. Across the breadth of our business, including our affiliate partners, we reach almost 98 percent of Australians, and are incredibly proud to be able to inspire a new generation of fans with a decade of Olympic Games coverage. Building on our leading news, sports and entertainment brands, we are committed to delivering the very best viewing experience for our audiences that culminates in the ultimate celebration on home soil in 2032.”
In addition to free-to-air and streaming coverage, Nine will broadcast key moments from the Olympic Games across its talk radio stations, 2GB Sydney, 3AW Melbourne, 6PR Perth and 4BC Brisbane. This will allow Australian audiences to tune in anywhere, anytime, and on any device to get the latest Olympics news and coverage.