The invitation to tender issued by the IOC provides genuine bidders with specific guidelines for the transmission of Olympic broadcast material within the European area to ensure that it meets the highest possible standards and reaches the broadest possible audience.
Four separate broadcast/media packages will be available: audiovisual transmission; mobile platform transmission, audio transmission and shared fixed memory media (video/DVD).
For the first time, the IOC will launch a public advertisement campaign in major European newspapers inviting all broadcasters of the region and other organisations to submit their tenders. The IOC announced earlier this year that it would consider all options - pan-European, multi-territory or country-by-country.
Said IOC president Jacques Rogge: “The IOC is committed to running a fair and competitive tendering process, designed to select the group of broadcasters and media companies that can best serve the ideals and interests of the Olympic Movement.
“We will be looking at offers expanding the promotion and coverage of the Olympic Games, embracing new technologies, broadening the choice for viewers, and guarantee the widest possible audience for the Olympic Games."
The IOC first vice-president Dr Thomas Bach, who is coordinating the European negotiations said: "Over the past few months the IOC has seen a very high level of interest from various broadcasters and media organisations throughout Europe to acquire future broadcast rights. The IOC will base its final decision on the financial offers and other factors including the level and quality of coverage and promotion of the Olympic Movement."
Bidders are requested to submit their offers by April 22.
The following day the bids will be examined and a decision made shortly afterwards.
The method is similar to that used in the US to sell domestic TV rights – a process which resulted in a new $2.2bn deal with NBC for the 2010 Winter Games and 2012 Summer Games.
The IOC has traditionally sold its rights to the European Broadcasting Union.
