In a move that was not expected for a while, the International Olympic Committee announced today that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has been awarded the rights to the 2014/2016 Olympics.

Earlier this year, the IOC rejected two joint bids from a combined CTV/CBC venture. After the last bid was turned down, CTV chose to drop out and CBC decided to enter a bid on its own. CBC had aired the Olympics consecutively from 1996 until 2008.

The Canadian Olympic Broadcast Consortium made up of several networks including CTV, Sportsnet and TSN won the rights to 2010/2012 which included the Vancouver Winter Games ending CBC’s streak.

With this winning bid, plus a mandate by the Canadian government to control costs at CBC, the country’s public broadcaster, one wonders how this might effect its hopes to retain the rights to the NHL and its long-running series, Hockey Night in Canada. We shall see.

Here’s the CBC release.

Olympic Games coming home to CBC/Radio-Canada

The International Olympic Committee today announced that CBC/Radio-Canada has been awarded the Canadian broadcast rights for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and the Rio 2016 Olympic Summer Games. As part of the agreement, the two parties entered into a new partnership that is unique to Canadian Olympic broadcasts. Canadians will have full access to all the excitement of the Olympic Games wherever and however they choose to cheer on Canada’s best athletes.

In making the announcement from London, CBC/Radio-Canada President Hubert Lacroix said, “This is excellent news for Canadians across the country who will once again experience the Olympic tradition with their public broadcaster. We’ve promised Canadians signature events on all our platforms that create opportunities to connect with each other and the country. I can’t think of a greater opportunity to create those connections and generate pride than showcasing the Olympic Games and the performances of our own Canadian athletes.”

IOC President Jacques Rogge said, “Canada is a sports loving nation and Canadians are big fans of the Olympic Games. CBC/Radio-Canada has a wealth of experience in broadcasting sports and the Olympic Games and we are pleased that we will once again be joining forces with them in the future.”

For almost 60 years, and on 19 different occasions, CBC/Radio-Canada has broadcast the Olympic Games, more recently with the Beijing 2008 Olympic Summer Games.

More coming up when possible.