Olympics To NBC for $2.3 Billion

NEW YORK NBC has obtained exclusive U.S. broadcast and cable TVrights to the 2004, 2006 and 2008 Olympic Games for $2.3 billion, thefirst time a network has locked up the Games before the sites havebeen awarded.

"This is a momentous decision for us," NBC president and CEO BobWright said at a news conference this morning. "But having theOlympics through 2008 forms the cornerstone of our vision for NBCgoing into the next millenium."

The deal gives NBC six of the next seven Olympic Games and fivein a row from 2000-2008. The network will pay $793 million for the2004 Summer Games, $613 million for the 2006 Winter Olympics and $894million for the 2008 Summer Olympics, …