DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS ENSURES BROAD OLYMPIC GAMES VIEWERSHIP IN BELARUS WITH NATIONAL STATE BROADCASTING AGREEMENT

With a goal to bring the Olympic Games to more fans on more screens than ever before, Discovery is implementing a strategy in markets across Europe which takes a multiplatform approach to showcasing the Olympic Games across free-to-air, pay-TV and digital.  Fans in Belarus will be able follow their national heroes and the best action on Belarus National State Broadcasting, while being able to immerse themselves in every moment of the Games on air, online, over the top and on the go through Eurosport platforms.

Discovery Communications has sub-licensed to Belarus National State Broadcasting exclusive free-to-air audio visual and non-exclusive radio rights for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games and 2020 Olympic Games.  The national broadcaster has been granted digital rights for the content they broadcast on their linear television channels.  Eurosport maintains rights to air every moment on pay-TV and through its digital services.

Kasia Kieli, President of Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “Our new agreement with Belarus National State Broadcasting will help guarantee that the country can get behind their athletes at the Games and fans can see every minute through Eurosport channels and digital platforms.  Through this partnership we take another step in our goal to bring the Games to more people on more screens than ever before.”

Anna Pak, Country Manager North East Europe at Discovery Communications, said: “For people in Belarus who love the Olympic Games, the new agreement is exciting news and forms part of a viewing offer which allows them to watch the Games in the way that suits them best.  Whether it is cheering their favorite athlete or following a favorite sport, they’ll be able to enjoy an even more passionate and in-depth Olympic journey.”

Aliaxandr Kaziukevich, Head of Sports Channel Belarus 5, said: “Belarus National State Broadcasting has exclusively aired the Olympic Games in Belarus for many years, and we are happy we can continue to give our TV audiences and fans free access to the best moments of the Belarusian athletes in the Olympic arenas. The cooperation with Discovery Communications will enable us to take yet another step towards the development of sports broadcasting on the national media market.”

Jean-Thierry Augustin, President, Sports and Olympic Development at Discovery Networks International said: “Our strategy to partner with the very best national broadcasters across Europe to sublicense Olympic Games coverage is proving a great success.  We are proud to have already concluded a range of agreements, offering fair value to all parties and delivering on our commitment to connect even more people with the inspiration of the Games.”

Discovery Communications holds the exclusive multimedia rights for 50 countries and territories in Europe for the 2018 through the 2024 Olympic Games, announced with the International Olympic Committee in June 2015.  It has now concluded twelve Olympic Games sublicensing agreements, following partnership deals with national broadcasters in Austria (ORF), Croatia (HRT), the Czech Republic (Ceska Televize), Finland (YLE), Hungary (MTVA), Ireland (RTE), Netherlands (NOS), Slovenia (RTV Slovenija), Slovakia (RTVS), Switzerland (SRG SSR) and UK (BBC).

ENDS.