Olympic Channel Launches on CBC GEM in Canada on One Year to go to Tokyo 2020

CBC, Canada’s Olympic Network, and the Olympic Channel today announced that OLYMPIC CHANNEL TV has now launched in Canada on the free CBC Gem streaming service, one year out from next summer’s rescheduled Olympic Games and on the day Tokyo 2020 was set to begin.

A 24-hour digital livestream channel showcasing the power of sport and the excitement of the Olympic Games all year round, OLYMPIC CHANNEL TV offers unparalleled access to Olympic sports and athletes from around the globe, with original programming, documentaries, gold medal performances and memorable moments from the Olympic Games.

"As the official broadcaster of the Olympic Games in Canada, we are connecting our audiences with the excitement of the Olympic Games all year long through this new partnership with the Olympic Channel," said Chris Wilson, Executive Director, Sports & Olympics, CBC. "This new channel is the perfect companion to CBC Sports’ Road to the Olympic Games programming, and will provide Canadians with even more comprehensive coverage of high-performance sporting events and athletes from around the world, 365 days a year."

"We are thrilled to bring an Olympic Channel digital experience to CBC Gem users in Canada as we continue to grow and evolve our global product," said Mark Parkman, General Manager of the IOC’s global Olympic Channel. "Fans now have more options to discover our content and engage with their favourite sports and athletes and cheer on Team Canada as they prepare for next summer’s Olympic Games."

Streaming from July 24 to August 9, Great Olympic Moments invites viewers to relive some of the most memorable moments in the history of the Olympic Games. The 16-day programming event features some of the most inspiring, exciting and unforgettable Olympic memories including epic performances that turned athletes into sport legends.

In addition to replays from past Olympic Games, audiences will have access to inspiring athlete stories from the Olympic Channel’s original programming library, including the new series What Moves Me, featuring inspirational lessons from world-class athletes who share their stories about overcoming common personal barriers; the award-winning series Take the Podium, in which clean athletes are awarded their rightful Olympic medal following the disqualification of doped athletes; and Legends Live On, which takes a look at Olympic heroes and how they are inspiring future generations.

Feature-length films and in-depth sports documentaries produced by the Olympic Channel include selections from its award-winning Five Rings Films series including The Nagano Tapes, the inspiring underdog story of the Czech Republic’s stunning gold medal win in men’s ice hockey in 1998; The People’s Fighter’s which examines Cuba’s boxing culture and highlights the career of the legendary Teofilo Stevenson; and The Golden Generation which spotlights the Argentine Men’s National Team’s historic gold at the Athens 2004 Olympic Basketball Tournament.

Through strategic distribution partnerships with the IOC’s rights-holding broadcast partners and National Olympic Committees, the Olympic Channel is continuing to develop localised versions leading to more personalised experiences for Olympic fans around the world. These digital and linear distribution partnerships have resulted in an Olympic Channel presence in 175 territories complementing the global digital platform.

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