Bach finishes as he begun, with multi-billion dollar NBC deal

Thomas Bach hopes a new $3 billion TV deal will help cement his legacy, while candidates campaigning to replace him are hit with unexpected problems

Thomas Bach’s determination to burnish his credentials as the most financially savvy President in the history of the International Olympic Committee saw yesterday’s surprise announcement of a $3 billion deal with Comcast that will keep NBCUniversal and Peacock as United States’ television and streaming home of the Olympic Games through until 2036.

The deal includes the 2034 Winter Olympics, due to be held in Salt Lake City, and the 2036 Summer Games, for which a host city has not yet been announced.

Comcast’s previous deal was signed more than a decade ago, and was set to run through until 2032. The new agreement supersedes that one and is effective immediately. It also includes “new, innovative joint strategic initiatives and projects.”