USOC and Comcast to launch a new Olympic Network in 2010

July 8, 3:10 PMSports Media ExaminerJim Williams

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Comcast and USOC will launch a new Olympic Network in 2010 

Peter Ueberroth, former USOC BOD Chairman was like a kid at Christmas today when the USOC announced that they were launching their own TV network.

"We think that is time for the USOC to have its own network. There are plenty of our sports that do not get exposure on a national level. But with the new USON we can tell the entire Olympic story. The USOC will have our own 24/7/365 network with new content as well every Olympic broadcast ever done. That is an impressive package of content.   "

When Ueberroth wanted a partner in this deal the first person he called was Comcast boss Brian Roberts and the two put the deal together.

Ueberroth told me that the network will launch in 2010, sometime after the Vancouver Winter Games.

They will  use multiple platforms, including television, video on demand and online, the USON will provide a window into the quests of American athletes to reach the pinnacle of their sports. Viewers will be able to watch live coverage of championship competitions and, after 2012, Olympic trial events in a wide range of sports, plus live, non-stop news reports, commentary, interviews from the locations of future Olympic and Paralympic Games, and classic Olympic footage through its exclusive U.S. access to thousands of hours of programming. 

Ueberroth made it clear that they were not in competition with NBC and the they looked to help their major network partner. He also was clear the USON would be a competitor to all other networks when it came to securing programing rights.

Comcast will play a key roles in this venture providing the distribution and at the same time being there as a true partner in the same way as they have done with the regional sports networks. Comcast will also offer the USON video on demand content, enabling subscribers to watch their favorite Olympic athletes and their feats whenever they want. A broadband platform will also be established for Internet customers to experience the passion of the Olympic Games online with news, highlights, and event coverage. The transaction is subject to closing conditions.

“The U.S. Olympic Network will be a dream come true for fans of the Olympic Games, delivering rich year-round content associated with the world’s greatest sporting competitions,” said Stephanie Streeter, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the USOC. “By bringing the stories, competitions and history of the Olympic Movement into American homes year-round, the USOC hopes to not only inspire a new generation of athletes but also to educate young people about the ideals and values of the Olympic movement. And, we believe strongly that the USON can also serve as a template that can be used in other parts of the world to expand access to the Olympic experience. Plus, the USON’s unparalleled year-round exposure of the Olympic brand – already one of the world’s most recognized and respected – will generate compelling opportunities for Olympic sponsors to expand their association with the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement. At the same time, we believe it will enhance interest in and viewership of Olympic-related coverage on broadcast networks. We are excited to work with all of our partners, and everyone associated with the Olympic Movement, to establish the USON as the foremost full time channel for Olympic-related content.”

Jeff Shell, President of Comcast Programming Group, said, “Comcast is pleased to partner with the United States Olympic Committee on the U.S. Olympic Network. Promoting the spirit of the Olympic Games in the homes of millions of Americans will support our athletes and bring more Olympic entertainment to our customers.”

“We are excited to see this important development for the USOC,” added Matt Van Houten, Chair, USOC Athletes’ Advisory Council. “It will do great things for America's athletes by bringing them and the Olympic Movement into the public's awareness on a year-round basis, not just for a couple of weeks every two years."

USON is conceived as a network to support the public interest of furthering the Olympic Movement’s international mission of promoting peace through the Games. The USOC intends to use a significant portion of its net proceeds from the network’s operations to help fund the training of American athletes.

For more info:.Olympics Examiner, Vancouver 2010 Olympics Travel Examiner, and Chicago Geopolitics Examiner