The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) has signed an agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for broadcast rights to the next Winter and Summer Olympic Games. The ABU will represent 22 countries for Vancouver 2010 (Winter) and London 2012 (Summer). The ABU successfully bid for exclusive free to air rights. Pay/cable rights were sold to ESPN Star for an undisclosed sum. New Media rights would be subject to further bidding, with ABU having the intent to acquire the new media rights as well, says ABU Director of Sport, John Barton. Meanwhile, the ABU is planning an extensive coverage of both games. According to Barton, in association with Television New Zealand, ABU will produce 600 hours of events coverage, mostly live out of Vancouver next February. This will be distributed via satellite to all of ABU’s territories. For London, the ABU would also be producing a comprehensive coverage as in past Summer games. Current planning indicates that the ABU will put together 10 full time channels of live events, recorded and highlights for its territories, said the ABU.