Japanese consortium wins Olympics

NHK, NACB acquire broadcasting rights

By MARK SCHILLING

TOKYO -- A consortium involving Japanese pubcaster NHK and the National Assn. of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan has acquired the Japanese broadcasting rights for the Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games.

The informal group, which calls itself the Japan Consortium, licensed the rights from the Intl. Olympic Committee. Agreement allows the consortium members to sublicense broadcast rights to other platforms.

"We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Japan Consortium, with which we have been working for many years," said IOC prexy Jacques Rogge.

IOC said that the Japan Consortium was selected for its ability to reach the broadest possible audience on free-to-air TV, pay TV, the Internet, digital media and mobile phones.