DR and TV2, the public-service and commercial broadcaster, respectively, in Denmark, have picked up free-to-air and digital rights in the country to the Beijing 2022 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games in a sub-licensing deal with Discovery, the US media giant.

TV2 is a newcomer to the contract that DR and Discovery struck in 2017 for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics and next year's summer games in Tokyo.

Discovery will also be broadcasting the Olympics in Denmark on the Kanal 5, Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 channels, and streaming services Dplay and Eurosport Player.

Discovery said the decision to sub-license to both DR and TV2 ensures viewers in Denmark "will enjoy the broadest possible access to the games and availability of more coverage than ever before."

Nicklas Norrby, general manger of Discovery Nordic, said: "We are constantly reviewing our operations and structure to optimise efficiency and unlock new ways to bring consumers the content that they love, and the changes we are making are consistent with that strategy and our goal to have one of the leading stringent offerings for Nordic consumers and a successful business across the Nordics.

"Sport is an important part of Discovery's DNA and remains a priority for us. Our Olympic Games partnership with DR and TV 2 is a big win for the Danes as we can guarantee the access to free-to-air coverage that can inspire the nation, alongside Eurosport super-serving fans with every minute of the Games and unrivalled sports expertise across digital screens on Dplay."

Anne Engdal Stig Christensen, chief executive of TV2, said: "The Olympics are a wealth of sports and we are thrilled that we – together with DR – can present the Olympics to the Danes in 2022 and 2024. Particularly high are our expectations to the Olympics in Paris which is so close to – and without time difference from – Denmark."

Henriette Marienlund, executive director of broadcast at DR, added: "We know that sport is one of the most important things that binds us together as a nation. Therefore, it is an important public service task for DR to ensure access for the entire population, so that together we can follow the Danish medal hopes and other highlights."

A year ago Discovery and DR agreed their split of sports for Tokyo, with Discovery to have exclusive rights to cycling, rowing, swimming, men’s soccer and tennis, and DR to show the opening and closing ceremonies, plus sports including athletics, badminton, gymnastics, women’s soccer and sailing.

Some sports will be divided between the two networks, with DR showing Denmark’s matches in the handball competitions and the semi-finals and finals, with all other games on Discovery.

Discovery bought the Olympics broadcast rights in Europe (excluding Russia) from 2018 to 2024 in a €1.3-billion (now $1.55-billion) deal signed in 2015.  

Sportcal