IOC tendering Beijing Games new media rights for China

ATHENS, Mar 22 (Reuters) The International Olympic Committee said today it had launched a tendering process for mainland China for the sale of internet and mobile phone platform rights for next year's Beijing Olympics.

The IOC has already sold over-the-air TV rights in China for the Games to broadcaster CCTV.

''We are looking for offers that develop the promotion and coverage of the Olympic Games, embrace new technologies and guarantee the widest possible audience in China for the Olympic Games across a variety of media platforms,'' said IOC marketing and television director Timo Lumme in a statement.

The deadline for bids is April 18.

Revenues from broadcasting and new media rights for the 2010 and 2012 Olympics have already risen nearly 40 percent from the previous two-Games package, which includes the Beijing Olympics, and will be in excess of 3.0 billion dollar.

The IOC estimates some 15 per cent of that will come from new media including the internet and mobile phones.

The IOC received about 2.5 billion dollar for broadcasting rights for the Turin 2006 Winter Games and the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.

Reuters SAM VV1833