IRIS Sport Media Wins Olympic Media Rights for Inflight & Inship Coverage to 2032

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new global media rights partnership, awarding exclusive inflight and inship coverage for the next four Olympic Games to IRIS Sport Media. This agreement encompasses both live and on-demand access to the Games for passengers traveling by air and sea.

A Four-Games Deal

The contract, which began immediately, covers the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games, the French Alps 2030 Winter Games, and Brisbane 2032 Summer Games. IRIS Sport Media will distribute live, delayed, and highlights packages for all four events. The UK-headquartered advisory firm takes over these rights from Sport 24.

Expanding Reach to Travelers

Ioris Francini, Founder Partner at IRIS, emphasized the growing demand for premium sports content, stating, “We are thrilled about this opportunity and grateful to the IOC for the trust in our distribution programme. The demand in this segment for premium sports content is at an all-time high and there is nothing bigger or more iconic on a global stage than the Olympic Games.”

Did You Know? IRIS Sport Media has already begun distributing content for the current Winter Games cycle.

Francini also highlighted the potential for increased viewership during the Los Angeles 2028 Games, noting the favorable time zones for many cruise lines. He further pointed to the technological advancements in inflight connectivity and growing passenger expectations for access to entertainment options.

IOC’s Broadcast Objectives

Anne-Sophie Voumard, Managing Director, IOC Television and Marketing Services, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are excited to be working with IRIS Sport Media to provide inflight and inship coverage of the Olympic Games through to 2032, which supports our broadcast objective of reaching the widest possible audience.”

Expert Insight: This deal demonstrates the IOC’s continued focus on expanding the reach of the Olympic Games beyond traditional broadcast methods. Targeting the inflight and cruise ship markets represents a strategic effort to capture a captive audience and leverage evolving technology to deliver the Games to a broader global viewership.

What Could Happen Next

The success of this partnership could lead to further expansion of inflight and inship sports broadcasting rights for other major events. It is also likely that IRIS Sport Media will invest in enhancing its distribution infrastructure to meet the anticipated surge in demand, particularly during the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The IOC may also explore similar partnerships with other media companies to reach additional travel sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Games are covered by this agreement?

The agreement covers the Milano Cortina 2026, Los Angeles 2028, the French Alps 2030, and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Who previously held the rights for the airline and cruise sectors?

Sport 24 previously held the rights for the airline and cruise sectors.

What types of content will be available?

IRIS Sport Media will distribute live, delayed, and highlights rights for the Olympic Games.

How will evolving technology impact the viewing experience for passengers?