Beijing- The International Olympic Committee has launched a tendering process for the sale of Internet and mobile phone platform rights in mainland China for the Beijing Olympics. The IOC had already sold free to air TV rights in China to broadcaster CCTV.

 

Deadline for bids is April 18. Reuters reports revenues from broadcasting and new media rights for the 2010 and 2012 Olympics have already risen 40% from the previous two Games package, which includes the Beijing Olympics, and will exceed $3 billion. The IOC estimates some 15% of that will come from new media including the internet and mobile phones.

 

"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.