IOC to open European TV rights bidding on May 11 for 2018 and 2020 Olympics

The IOC is preparing to open the tender process for the sale of broadcast rights across Europe for the 2018 and 2020 Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee says Monday it has hired IMG as a consultant for the bidding for the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Bidding will open on May 11 and close on June 15.

The IOC says it will consider bids on a multi-territory or country-by-country basis.

The process does not include Britain and France, where the BBC and France Televisions already hold the rights through 2020.

Among the nearly 50 countries where the rights have yet to be awarded, the biggest remaining markets include Germany, Italy and Spain.