Discovery releases statement on Olympics postponement

The broadcaster had been planning to show the event this summer on Eurosport

Discovery has released a statement on the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe revealed that the competition will be suspended on Tuesday, leaving the broadcaster with a large gap in its schedules this summer.

In the UK and across Europe, Discovery would have had coverage of the Olympics on Eurosport. It will now plan for this next year, shifting its planning ahead. There is no news as yet on what will replace it in a few months’ time.

Discovery has a number of other companies to take tips from. With the coronavirus pandemic causing sport postponements worldwide, a number of broadcasters have turned to original content, documentaries, and archive footage to fill the gap.

Read the statement in full below.

Discovery fully supports the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee’s plan to stage the Olympic Games in 2021 and to make every effort to ensure the well-being of spectators, athletes, staff and the international community. Our essential planning and deliverables are complete and will now shift into next year. We will continue to develop our products and offerings to best serve our customers and marketing partners in 2021.