27 sports sign up to work with new Olympic Channel

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) The IOC has reached agreement with 27 international sports federations to work together on the new Olympic Channel.

IOC President Thomas Bach says the launch date of the digital channel will be announced ''in the coming weeks.''

The International Olympic Committee says the 27 sports federations will ''collaborate on content'' for the channel, which will operate 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Bach says the channel ''will mark a major shift in how the Olympic movement connects with young people all year round.''

Among the major sports signed up are swimming (FINA), basketball (FIBA), tennis (ITF), gymnastics (FIG), skiing (FIS) and hockey (IIHF). Among those not included are soccer (FIFA) and track and field (IAAF), which already have their own global TV rights deals.

The channel will broadcast live sports, news and historic Olympic footage.