Olympics on the BBC: Coverage under threat after Discovery secures European rights

The Games will in all probability continue to be shown on the terrestrial channel

28 July 2012: Britain welcomed the world to London for the Olympic games, with a well-received opening ceremony directed by Danny Boyle. The BBC said the UK's TV audience for the ceremony peaked at 26.9m.

The BBC may cease to air the Olympics from 2022 after Eurosport and parent company Discovery secured a 1.3billion euro (£920million) rights deal to show the Games in Europe.

The Beeb has become synonymous with the Olympics, billing itself as the 'home' of the Games, particularly during 2012 when a staggering 2,500 hours of live coverage were shown. During the Sochi Winter Olympics 650 hours were broadcast.

However, today's announcement means the BBC will not necessarily continue to air the Games, although in all likelihood will continue to, but probably to a reduced extent.

Eurosport has committed to broadcasting only 200 hours of summer Olympics and 100 hours of winter Games on free-to-air television and says in many territories it will sub-license these back to a terrestrial broadcaster - possibly but not necessarily the BBC.

Announcing the new TV deal, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said: "This is a significant agreement for Discovery and the IOC, and we are excited to have Eurosport, the pan-European home of Olympic sports, as a partner.

"This agreement ensures comprehensive coverage of the Olympic Games across Europe, including the guarantee to provide extensive free-to-air television coverage in all territories.

"The revenue generated from this long-term partnership will be redistributed by the IOC across the Olympic movement to support the development of sport around the world."

Under current legislation, the Olympics is a 'Listed event' and has to be on free-to-air TV but that does not include the increasingly important digital or mobile coverage. It might be that Eursport sub-licenses highlights to the BBC or Channel Four but keep all the other media rights for itself - and it does have Freeview channels itself.

The BBC said it would seek talks with Discovery about acquiring the free-to-air rights.

A BBC statement said: "The Olympic Games remains a priority for the BBC and we have already secured the TV, radio and online rights to the next three Olympic Games - 2016, 2018 and 2020. More than 90 per cent of the UK population watched the BBC's coverage of London 2012 and it remains one of the most popular free-to-air, sporting events for UK viewers.

"It is not unprecedented for sports rights to be sold on a pan-territory basis and the BBC has acquired other sports rights via sub-licensing deals with either agencies or broadcasters. We will be seeking further discussions with Discovery about the UK free-to-air rights to the 2022 and 2024 Olympic Games in due course."

Bach added there was "ample time" for the BBC to negotiate a sub-licensing deal.

He said: "In Great Britain you have the situation that the BBC has the rights so there is ample time before 2022 and 2024 to have discussions with Discovery about their co-operation."

The hosts for the 2022 Winter Olympics and 2024 Games have not yet been decided.

Addition reporting by PA