US-based mass media group Discovery will be broadcasting the Olympics across Europe set to begin on 23rd July. The Olympics has always been a great spectacle to watch on TV as thousands of athletes will carry their countries’ hopes on the world stage across several sports and disciplines.
Broadcasters will take the advantage of the Olympics after a year’s delay and empty stadiums. Tokyo 2020 will be available to watch, on streaming service discovery+ in Denmark, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Spain, and the UK.
Discovery operates the Olympic rights across Europe (excluding Russia) and has sub-licensed the free-to-air rights to national broadcasters. Those rights were acquired as part of a contract running from 2018 to 2024 and worth €1.3bn ($1.53bn).
Discovery will now be partnering with Google-owned streaming giant Youtube as it agreed to brand new content and advertising deal.
Earlier in February, Discovery also agreed to a deal with Snapchat to further its reach across select European markets in hopes to cater to younger audiences. It had also reached out to Twitter, which will also publish real-time highlights from the 2020 Games in some European markets.
YouTube will host a channel for Discovery’s international sports broadcaster Eurosport. The Eurosport YouTube Channel will implement a range of content during the Olympic Games, including highlights of the most notable events each day, as well as daily recaps.
The YouTube channel will produce bonus on-demand content including athlete interviews, athlete profiles, analysis, explainers on the sports, and exciting moments from the Games.
Scott Young, head of sports production and content at Discovery Sports, said, “Discovery and Eurosport pride themselves on telling the most unique and compelling stories that immerse fans in the sports and athletes they love. It is then vital we make these stories available to fans however they choose to watch, helping to engage new and different audiences with the world’s greatest sporting events.”
The EuroSport YouTube channel will also show the opening and closing ceremonies in English and German in markets where they were unable to reach traditionally.