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| China Games 'a broadcast record' | China Games 'a broadcast record' |
| (1 day later) | |
| The Beijing Games looks set to become the most widely broadcast event in Olympic history, according to the International Olympic Committee. | The Beijing Games looks set to become the most widely broadcast event in Olympic history, according to the International Olympic Committee. |
| More than half of China's 1.3 billion people turned on to watch at least some part of the opening ceremony. | More than half of China's 1.3 billion people turned on to watch at least some part of the opening ceremony. |
| On the back of this viewing success, the IOC expects its revenue to increase for future Games. | On the back of this viewing success, the IOC expects its revenue to increase for future Games. |
| This success has also helped vindicate the controversial decision to award the event to Beijing. | This success has also helped vindicate the controversial decision to award the event to Beijing. |
| Huge viewing figures | Huge viewing figures |
| Timo Lumme, the IOC's director of TV and marketing, reeled off a series of impressive figures at an Olympic news conference. | Timo Lumme, the IOC's director of TV and marketing, reeled off a series of impressive figures at an Olympic news conference. |
| He said that by the end of the Beijing Games, three times more TV and online material would have been broadcast than at the Athens Games in 2004. | He said that by the end of the Beijing Games, three times more TV and online material would have been broadcast than at the Athens Games in 2004. |
| "The figure for total viewing in the world could be around 1.2 billion people," Mr Lumme added. "The interest globally for the Olympic Games is growing." | "The figure for total viewing in the world could be around 1.2 billion people," Mr Lumme added. "The interest globally for the Olympic Games is growing." |
| There have been far more hours of broadcasting than at the last GamesIn China alone, a total of 842 million people tuned in to at least some of the opening ceremony. More than 1 billion Chinese people have watched at least one Olympic event. | There have been far more hours of broadcasting than at the last GamesIn China alone, a total of 842 million people tuned in to at least some of the opening ceremony. More than 1 billion Chinese people have watched at least one Olympic event. |
| In the United States, more than 40 million viewers watched swimmer Michael Phelps win his eighth gold medal - the biggest Saturday night audience since 1990. | In the United States, more than 40 million viewers watched swimmer Michael Phelps win his eighth gold medal - the biggest Saturday night audience since 1990. |
| There were equally impressive viewing figures in other countries, figures that have been boosted by increased online coverage. | There were equally impressive viewing figures in other countries, figures that have been boosted by increased online coverage. |
| This success will enable the IOC to increase its revenue in the future, Mr Lumme revealed after the news conference was over. | This success will enable the IOC to increase its revenue in the future, Mr Lumme revealed after the news conference was over. |
| The IOC earned a total of $2.6bn (£1.4bn) from the winter Games in Turin in 2006 and the Beijing event, he said. | The IOC earned a total of $2.6bn (£1.4bn) from the winter Games in Turin in 2006 and the Beijing event, he said. |
| That figure is expected to jump to about $3.9bn for the Vancouver winter Games in 2010 and the next summer Games, in London in 2012. | That figure is expected to jump to about $3.9bn for the Vancouver winter Games in 2010 and the next summer Games, in London in 2012. |
| China's state broadcaster CCTV can also expect to pay much more in the future because of its growing economic and sporting clout, said Mr Lumme. | China's state broadcaster CCTV can also expect to pay much more in the future because of its growing economic and sporting clout, said Mr Lumme. |
| CCTV forked out a proportion of just $18.5m for the rights to show the Beijing Games, far less than other big countries. | CCTV forked out a proportion of just $18.5m for the rights to show the Beijing Games, far less than other big countries. |
| "For the next Games, just for China, I think we have to be looking well into three figures," said Mr Lumme, suggesting CCTV will have to pay in excess of $100m. | "For the next Games, just for China, I think we have to be looking well into three figures," said Mr Lumme, suggesting CCTV will have to pay in excess of $100m. |
| Catalyst for development | Catalyst for development |
| The positive feedback from broadcasters and viewers appears to be helping the IOC justify its decision to give the Games to Beijing. | The positive feedback from broadcasters and viewers appears to be helping the IOC justify its decision to give the Games to Beijing. |
| Ever since the decision was made in 2001, there have been concerns about issues such as China's human rights record and media freedom. | Ever since the decision was made in 2001, there have been concerns about issues such as China's human rights record and media freedom. |
| But IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies, also speaking at the press conference, dismissed such concerns. | But IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies, also speaking at the press conference, dismissed such concerns. |
| "The IOC's decision to come to Beijing [was about] opening the door and engaging. It can be a catalyst for development," she said. | "The IOC's decision to come to Beijing [was about] opening the door and engaging. It can be a catalyst for development," she said. |
| "In terms of image, the wider impact, we do not have any concerns." | "In terms of image, the wider impact, we do not have any concerns." |
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