During the 2012 Olympics, the International Olympics Committee awarded the rights to the 2014 and 2016 Olympics to CBC after the Canadian Olympic Broadcasting Consortium consisting of CTV, RDS, TSN and Sportsnet had aired the 2010 and 2012 Games, ending a long streak by CBC dating back to 1996.
CBC had yet to officially announce its plans for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi asides from a random promo during Hockey Night in Canada, but today, the network gave its one year kickoff to its coverage today.
CBC says it has formed its own consortium to air the Olympics in Canada. Sportsnet says it will carry some 200 hours from Sochi. TSN along with its French partner, RDS, says it will also air a portion of the Olympics.
Details of which network will air which sports will be worked out and we’ll also hear about talent for the Games as well. I’m sure Ron MacLean who was primetime host for Beijing will have a major role. Not sure if Brian Williams who worked CBC’s Olympics until 2006 will return to Canada’s public broadcaster to host, but we’ll see. You can rest assured that Hockey Night in Canada voice Jim Hughson will call hockey for CBC.
CBC has also launched its official Olympics website.
Here’s CBC’s press release.
SOCHI IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK AND THE ROAD TO THE OLYMPICS STARTS HERE: CBC/RADIO-CANADA IS CANADA’S OLYMPIC NETWORK
As Canada’s Official Olympic Broadcaster for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, CBC/Radio-Canada brings the Olympic Games home to Canadians like never before
Today marks the official one-year countdown to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and CBC/Radio-Canada is thrilled to bring the Olympic Games home to Canadians. As Canada’s Official Broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada brings Canadians cross-platform coverage of the top news and stories in the year leading up to Sochi 2014, running from February 7 – 23, 2014. With exclusive license arrangements, TSN, RDS, and Sportsnet will also present coverage of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Stay tuned – more platform distribution announcements to come.
“We’re incredibly proud to be the official home of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games,” said Kirstine Stewart, Executive Vice-President, English Services, CBC. “As we count down to Sochi 2014, we are committed to sharing the inspirational stories of our athletes, while providing Canadians with a robust Olympic Games experience, across all platforms.”
Louis Lalande, Executive Vice-President, Radio-Canada, added: “The Olympic Games have been part of Radio-Canada’s DNA for over fifty years. It is with great anticipation that we prepare for Sochi 2014. We aim to offer viewers from coast to coast a distinct coverage that will allow them to live and breathe with our athletes on this most prestigious stage.”
CBC/Radio-Canada is the place to be as we count down to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. With coverage across all platforms – including TV, radio, online, and mobile – Canadians can connect with the biggest stories and the latest content whenever and wherever they want it. Through world-class storytelling and the best performance coverage available, CBC/Radio-Canada will introduce viewers to Canadian athletes poised to take on the world in 2014. Canadians can engage with CBC/Radio-Canada leading up to and throughout the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games online in English at CBC.ca/Olympics and in French at Radio-Canada.ca/Olympiques, as well as on Twitter in English at @cbcolympics (#cbcolympics), and in French at @RC_Sports (#RColympiques).
The countdown to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi was in full-swing this week on CBC, with extensive programming on all platforms. Throughout the week, viewers have enjoyed extensive coverage, with stories from Sochi and beyond, as well as a look at Canada’s Olympians as they prepare for the Games.
And here’s CBC’s Olympic promo. Sounds like its venerable Olympic theme will be back after a six year absence.
There you have it.
