Romania's national television operator TVR will pay EUR 2 million for broadcast rights for both the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Following approval of a draft proposal by the TVR board, the Romanian public television service will pay EUR 2 million for TV and internet distribution rights for both sets of games, according to a memorandum signed by TVR Director-General Claudiu Săftoiu. Members of TVR's board of directors were unanimous in their support of the proposal, the Director-General told local news organization Mediafax.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), an association of European public television organizations, will act as an intermediary on behalf of TVR. The Director-General added that TVR has already budgeted for the cost of the rights and that the due amounts will be paid in installments.

“Right now we are in negotiations to obtain the rights to broadcast and begin scheduling payments in the second half of this year, because obviously the Sochi Games are approaching. Regarding the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, we estimate that we will begin making staggered payments at the end of 2014,” said the TVR Director-General.

The 2014 Winter Olympics begin of February 7, 2014, and will close just over two weeks later on February 23. Held once every four years, these will be the 22nd Winter Games. Host city Sochi is a port on the Black Sea, close to Russia's border with Georgia and with the Caucasus Mountains conveniently located nearby.

Rio De Janeiro, and Brazil as a whole, are looking forward to a grand sporting carnival, with the city hosting the Summer Games in 2016 and Brazil being the host country for the 2014 World Cup.

editor@romania-insider.com

photo source: olympic.org The Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi