Whether it’s on a television channel or online, here’s how you can get updates on our Filipino Olympians come the Paris Olympics.
With each passing day, the 2024 Paris Olympics only continues to get closer. In a few months’ time, we’ll once again see thousands of athletes — the Philippines’ delegation included — represent their home countries and hopefully haul a good amount of medals throughout the international multi-sport competition.
And for the Philippines, Paris should be a noteworthy one.
Beyond their delegations’ own fates, the country heads into the 2024 Olympics with two major storylines. For one, the Philippines is entering Paris after a four-medal haul in Tokyo 2020 led by Hidilyn Diaz’s weightlifting gold, the country’s first gold in 97 years.
Second, Paris also serves as the 100th anniversary of the country’s Olympic participation. Surely, our Paris-bound delegation would look to make a splash given these facts.
But how can we get quick updates on the Filipino Olympians during the Paris 2024 Olympics? Fortunately, we can do so through free-to-air networks TV5, RPTV, and One Sports, as well as Cignal’s digital streaming platform, Pilipinas Live!
Through a partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee, media company Cignal and its subsidiaries will now provide official coverage of the Paris Olympics locally, according to POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
“We will bring every memorable moment to the Filipino fans, from the time our athletes leave. In fact during the training…all the way until they come back [to the Philippines] hopefully bringing medals to the country. To do this, we commit all available resources across the MediaQuest group–from our pay-TV platforms to our free-to-air platforms, to our digital platforms,” said Jane Basas, MediaQuest, and Cignal TV president and CEO.
According to Basas, they are “working closely as well” with local networks PLDT and Smart to ensure they can “scale the distribution of content across the country.”
What’s in store for now?
Currently, Cignal’s Olympics coverage seeks to focus on “news, features, and updates” on Filipino Olympians. After all, their reporters would be embedded with the Filipino delegation in Paris, starting with their month-long training camp in Metz, France after their June 21 sendoff.
Given this, daily news clips and features would be a staple in providing us updates on our Filipino Olympians according to Cignal AVP for channel and content James Meneses. “We will be at the training [in Metz], but we would also have access to the Athletes’ Village, and the playing areas,” he shared.
In relation, a “13-part miniseries” is also one of Cignal’s confirmed offerings according to Cignal FVP for channel and content Sienna Olaso. According to her, the miniseries would “really document” the Filipino Olympians’ journey–from their Metz camp, up to the Olympics themselves.
“Hopefully ‘yung first eight nandon sa Metz, and makakarating ‘yung panahon na ‘yung episode nine hanggang labing-tatlo na matapos…kasama niyo kami doon [sa Paris Olympics],” said Olaso.
A “campaign” promoting the centennial year is also in the works, Olaso added. “Lahat ng plataporma namin, digital and free-to-air, and pay [TV], will speak about our athletes. I mean…it’s going to be a whole campaign leading up to the opening and the start of the Olympics competition.”
Broadcast rights for the games, meanwhile, are still in discussion with Olympic rights holder Dentsu. While nothing is set in stone, it was assured that Cignal and the advertising firm are at the “tail end” of their discourse.
At best, Cignal officials revealed they could be given broadcasting rights to 17 events for the Paris Olympics. If it does materialize, Basas assured they would be broadcasting these games simultaneously.
“So we will curate that and decide what goes to our platforms. Ang pinaka-flexible right now is digital. So we do expect–again, the caveat is depending on the rights that we secure–na ang pinaka-kumpleto at pinaka-comprehensive, kung gusto mo manood ng…even just outside the Philippine events diba? Pilipinas Live ‘yun.”
Banner Image from Vanessa Sarno on Instagram.
Related Stories:
Paris-Bound: The Filipino Athletes Qualified For The 2024 Olympics
From Wildcard to Gold: The Lasting Impact of Hidilyn Diaz’s Olympic Journey
Fashion In The Olympics: 5 Standout Uniforms Over The Years