$20m For Games TV Fees

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31580, 18 January 1968, Page 9

$20m For Games TV Fees

<N Z. Press Association-Copyright) MEXICO CITY, January 17. Record television fees amounting to nearly SUS2Om are to be paid for the coming Mexico City Olympic Games.

An estimated 400 million viewers will watch the opening ceremony on October 12. The games organising committee has made a deal with the American Broadcasting Corporation for full rights in that country and also in parts of Europe. The United States fee is SUSIO million and another SUS 6 million will go into games funds from European television interests. Japan, still keyed up by the successful 1964 games in Tokyo, is to pay $U5625,000 for rights in its country. ' Negotiations still are proceeding with South America which is certain to take the games live. For the first time the games will be televised in colour as well as black and white. For the 1964 games the highlights were telecast to America at various times. Sat-

ellites will be used to the utmost this year. The games public relations director, Mr Roberto Casselas, said today that by the time all the television revenue was added up it could reach SUS2O million. It will be the biggest revenue producer of the games and indicates bow important television fees have become in overseas sport. Without the revenue from television, Mexico may never have been able to finance the games. Mr Casselas said today official estimates of the cost of staging the games were SUSBO million. Of this, half was being spent on new venues and installations while the remainder went on administrative expenses. New constructions include a modem building which will be a home for Olympic sports.