The Hong Kong government intends to sub-license Olympic rights to four free-to-air broadcasters. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

The Hong Kong government has again stepped in to acquire exclusive rights to this year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

The government intends to sub-license the rights to four free-to-air broadcasters in the territory – TVB, ViuTV, Hoy TV, and government-owned RTHK.

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This marks the second consecutive Summer Olympics for which the Hong Kong authorities have snapped up rights after doing so for the Tokyo Games staged in 2021.

Large public screenings were also staged in shopping malls in the city for the Tokyo Olympics (held in a favorable timezone for Hong Kong audiences).

Broadcasters typically negotiate rights deals directly with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or agencies, but the Hong Kong government has now intervened once again in bidding for the rights.

In a statement, Hong Kong chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu said that the country’s broadcasters could not agree to a fee with Dentsu, the Japanese advertising giant that sells the rights.

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The country’s broadcasters had also failed to agree a suitable price with Dentsu for the Tokyo games.

The rights fee for Paris 2024 was not disclosed but Kevin Yeung, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism, revealed it was lower than Tokyo. This is potentially due to the six-hour time difference between France and Hong Kong in the summer.

Yeung said: “By procuring the broadcasting rights for these two games in Hong Kong, members of the public will be able to enjoy the Paris Olympic Games and Paralympic Games on television free of charge, and to cheer for Mainland and Hong Kong athletes.”

The Paris 2024 Olympics will run from July 26 until August 11, while the Paralympics will be held from August 28 to September 8.