Czech Radio receives exclusive broadcasting rights from the EBU for future Olympic Games until 2032
Czech Radio is the only radio station in the Czech Republic to have been awarded the broadcasting rights for the 2026-2032 Olympic Games. Czech Radio’s stations will thus be able to broadcast over 200 hours of sports coverage free of charge and provide information on digital platforms and social media. The broadcasting rights were acquired as part of a deal between the International Olympic Committee and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), of which Czech Radio is a member.
The broadcasting rights granted include the XXV Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad Los Angeles 2028, the XXVI Olympic Winter Games 2030 and the Games of the XXXV Olympiad Brisbane 2032 as well as the Youth Olympic Games throughout 2026-2032. The agreement guarantees free coverage of the Games through the EBU's network of public service broadcasters, the vast majority of which have broadcast the Games in previous years in partnership with the International Olympic Committee and Warner Bros. Discovery.
"I consider it a great success that the EBU has been able to reach an agreement that will make the Olympic Winter and Summer Games available to the widest possible audience across Europe from 2026 to 2032. For Czech Radio, this means that we will be able to provide listeners with more live coverage of the Olympics than ever before. Sports fans will have access to a wide range of their beloved sports. This achievement truly underlines the importance of the European Broadcasting Union," said René Zavoral, Director General of Czech Radio and Vice-President of the EBU.
"Sports should be for everyone. We need public service media that will bring together audiences for major sporting events, inspire the next generation of athletes and broaden the fan base for new and emerging sports. No other media brand can guarantee as much multi-platform reach to as many people. This deal just underlines the incredible power of public service media, where we are all pulling together," added EBU Director General Noel Curran.
"We are delighted to have reached a long-term agreement with two of the world's leading media companies. The EBU and its members across Europe provide unrivalled reach and expertise, and Warner Bros. Discovery, i.e. that recently merged Warner Media and Discovery, represents one of the world's largest media and entertainment companies across all programming genres and platforms. Their interest in acquiring the rights demonstrates the enduring appeal of the Olympic Games across Europe," explained International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
From 2026, the EBU will hold free-to-air broadcasting rights on television and digital platforms. Each EBU member will broadcast over 200 hours of Olympic Games coverage and at least 100 hours of television coverage of the Winter Olympic Games, with a wide range of radio, live streaming and news coverage on the web, apps and social media platforms.
The EBU and its members cover a wide range of Olympic sports year-round, thanks to which Czech Radio listeners can be present via radio at most major sporting events, such as the World Championships, European Championships, multi-sport events or national championships.