Joining forces with cable giant Comcast, the USOC announced it will launch the U.S. Olympic Network after the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
Slotted on Comcast’s digital classic tier that serves approximately ten million subscribers and is also home to such sports channels as the NFL Network, NBA TV and MLB Network, the USON programming will consist primarily of a mix of live championship coverage of specific sports including trials and qualifiers, news and retrospective shows.
With the aim of keeping Olympic athletes in the public eye between Games, the USON announcement has not been without some negative reaction.
CBSsports.com reports that pending trouble with the International Olympic Committee could loom as the IOC stated that the USOC announcement ‘raises complex legal and contractual issues and could have a negative impact on our relationships with other Olympic broadcasters and sponsors, including our U.S. TV partner, NBC.’
MultiChannel News reports that NBC’s online partner, Universal Sports, which has aired thousands of hours of Olympic programming is also a potential troublesome spot for the USON plans.
Besides keeping Olympians in the public eye, there is also an aim toward increasing the exposure for the all-important sponsors.
Acting CEO of the USOC, Stephanie Streeter, told Media Week that the increased exposure will ‘generate compelling opportunities for Olympic sponsors to expand their association with the Games. At the same time, we believe it will enhance interest in and viewership of Olympic-related coverage on broadcast networks.’
No surprise. Trend has been set with sports governing entities creating their own networks continues from NBA, NFL, MLB.
Right Aaron, just “follow the money”. The USOC figures to profit from its product just likethose pro leagues.
The Olympics are looking for a piece of the tv ad revenue just like the pro sports leagues. no surprise there.
That is just super, some more sports going to pay cable.
Does this adversely affect Chicago’s bid to hold the 2016 Games?