Discovery licenses Olympic rights in Netherlands

Discovery Communications has licensed the Dutch rights to the 2018 and 2020 Olympic Games to pubcaster NOS.

The linear TV and multiplatform sub-licence agreement means both events will air on Dutch free TV.

A stipulation of Discovery’s acquisition of the European rights to the Olympic Games last year was that it must ensure the most of the event was broadcasted free-to-air in each local territory.

The NOS package comes after a similar deal with the BBC in the UK, and includes digital rights to the content aired on the free TV channels.

Discovery-owned Eurosport, which will air the Games on Dutch pay TV, has exclusive rights to two sports at the 2018 and 2020 events, including ice hockey at the PyeongChang 2018 games. NOS will get highlights.

NOS, which is a key channel in the complex Dutch public broadcasting system, hasaired the Olympic Games since 1964.

“This agreement is hugely beneficial to the Dutch audience as it makes the Olympics more accessible for more viewers for a further five years,” said Jan de Jong, general director at NOS. “Our clear focus has always been to tell the whole story.”

“Together with NOS, Eurosport will share stories with the Dutch audience that follow moments of human achievement and generate pride for the Games, enriching the viewers’ experience with more coverage of our national heroes,” said Alco de Jong, country manager, Discovery Networks Benelux.

Discovery bought exclusive multimedia rights to Olympics in 50 European territories from the International Olympic Committee last June.