The Olympic rights, which are expected to bring in more than $2billion in revenue for the IOC, have been the subject of heightening speculation as the first multi-network bidding war for the TV coverage of the Games in over ten years intensifies.
This morning will see the Disney-owned networks ABC and ESPN make their presentations to the IOC with Rupert Murdoch's Fox network going before the committee tomorrow morning followed by current rights holder NBC.
The presentations will consist of details of how the networks would cover the Games in the event of their bid being successful as opposed to the financial aspects of their rights offer.
Following the presentations, the full bidding documents to be tabled by the networks, complete with financial offers, will be handed to the IOC in sealed envelopes by 1.30pm tomorrow afternoon.
The US TV rights represent over 60 percent of the IOC's total revenue from broadcast sales and the committee is hoping to build on the $1.5bn that NBC is paying for the rights to the 2006 and 2008 Games.
With the rights to the Summer Games costing more than those to the Winter Games, the revenue split for 2010 and 2012 is expected to be in the region of $850million and £1bn respectively.
The bidding process for the US TV rights has already seen cable giant AOL Time Warner and terrestrial network CBS remove themselves from the equation after initially expressing interest.
These withdrawals have been predominantly put down to the uncertain economic market and the fact that the bid is effectively a 'blind' one given that the host cities for 2010 and 2012 have yet to be named - a situation that could significantly hinder the impact of the Games if the time-zone difference between the host cities and the US prove problematic in terms of primetime coverage.
The IOC has stated its intention to announce the winning bid shortly after the sealed envelopes have been received but, should such an instant decision not prove forthcoming, a decision will almost certainly be made before July 2 when the 2010 host city will be chosen.
The IOC is not expected to negotiate with broadcasters in Europe for another six months.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) are meeting with representatives of the US broadcasters in Lausanne today and tomorrow to receive the bids for the TV rights to the 2010 and 2012 Olympic Games.
