8 July 2008 :The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced an agreement with the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation Limited (SABC) for the acquisition of the broadcast rights within 37 territories in sub- Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
The agreement includes exclusive over-the-air television and radio broadcast rights and non-exclusive satellite, mobile and internet rights. It covers English, French and Portuguese languages, with a minimum commitment of six hours per day on over-the-air television, with two highlights packages per day, and four hours per day on radio.
The IOC selected the AUB / SABC partnership on its capacity to reach the largest possible audience, as well as its commitment to broadcasting tailored programming of the Olympic Games in sub-Saharan Africa and promoting the values of the Olympic Movement in the region.
Commenting on the agreement, IOC Executive Board member Richard Carrión said: “We are delighted to have reached this agreement as it is extremely important that Olympic fans across sub-Saharan Africa have the opportunity to watch the Olympic Games via the best possible broadcast coverage. The members of the AUB are well placed to provide a first-class service.”
Mr Mvuzo Mbebe, Group Executive, SABC Content Enterprises, commented: "SABC has assisted both financially in the acquisition of the rights and in leveraging its particular expertise in the technical aspects of production, whereas the AUB brings to the fore its considerable strengths in uniting the majority of broadcasters representing 37 territories within Africa under one cohesive umbrella body."
Speaking about the agreement, Larry Atiase, CEO of the AUB said: “Our feed will reach an estimated audience of 129 million people and we will broadcast 126 hours over the course of the Olympic Games.”