IOC Awards Broadcast Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa for the London 2012 Olympic Games

International Olympic Committee, Press Release, Dec 16, 2011: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded the exclusive terrestrial television, and non-exclusive radio and mobile platform broadcast rights in Sub Saharan Africa for the London 2012 Olympic Games to Octagon, it was announced today.

IOC President Jacques Rogge said, “We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Octagon and look forward to working with them over the coming months to ensure a comprehensive broadcast of the Games in the region.”

IOC Executive Board member Richard Carrión, who led the negotiations, said, “This is a new approach for broadcast rights in this region for the IOC. Our new partner Octagon has acquired the rights and will now begin to look for broadcast partners, who will be able to utilise a broadcast feed tailored for Sub-Saharan African viewers.

We will be working closely with Octagon to ensure that the widest possible audience has access to the London 2012 Olympic Games.”

Qondisa Ngwenya, MD Octagon Africa, explained, “Octagon Africa is extremely proud to have partnered the IOC to offer our continent’s broadcasters and sponsors relevant and compelling coverage of the Games.

Octagon’s continued growth and presence in three of the key economic hubs in Africa gives us unique knowledge and insight. Africa’s free-to-air broadcasters remain one of the world’s largest markets for many of the world’s biggest brands.”

Jonathan Riley, Octagon’s Head of Broadcasting and Sales, who headed up the negotiations, said, “Octagon’s commitment to the world’s principal sports rights holders to create innovative pan-African rights and media sales models meshes with the IOC’s vision and objectives for Africa.

Our passion for production, distribution and integration of media, in partnership with Africa’s free-to-air broadcasters, delivers a mass-audience platform and genuine value to all stakeholders.”