Channel One commits to Olympics coverage

Russian state-controlled commercial broadcaster Channel One will show parts of the 2018 winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, according to the Tass news agency.

The Telesport agency, which holds the rights in Russia to the Olympics from 2018 to 2024, has been in talks with a host of Russian broadcasters over providing coverage of the Games.

The International Olympic Committee decided last week to ban Russia from competing at the Games due to a widespread doping scandal, with athletes from the country only able to compete under a neutral flag if they are able to prove they have an unblemished record.

“Competition at those disciplines where Russian athletes will take part, of course, will be broadcast," a Channel One Russia spokeswoman said.

Following the news last week, VGTRK said that it would not show coverage of the Olympics, but Telesport said that the state broadcaster was one of several companies to remain in talks over a possible deal.

Russia was the only European territory excluded from media group Discovery Communication’s 50-territory deal for Olympic Games rights across Europe from 2018 to 2024.