Fox to make serious bid for 2014 and 2016 Games rights

FOX Sports is set to make a serious bid to secure the broadcasting rights for the 2014 and 2016 Olympics in an attempt to land the Games for the first time in their history.

CARDS ON TABLE: Fox Sports chief executive and chairman David Hill announces intention to bid for 2014 and 2016 Games

Rival broadcaster NBC won the rights to screen Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 at a record cost of $2.2bn with bidding for Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 expected to begin this autumn.

Fox, owned by Rupert Murdoch, bid $1.3bn for the previous package while ABC/ESPN made an offer of $1.6bn but NBC prevailed, although they did go on to record a loss of $200m on the Vancouver Games.

But Fox chief executive and chairman, David Hill, insists NBC's recent difficulties, including criticism for delaying the broadcast of some Vancouver events to maximize audiences, is no deterrent.

"If I were the [International Olympic Committee], I would open the bidding in October and November," Hill told Daily Variety.

"It's one of those great things to have. It's an iconic event. We will make a strong bid next time around. Last time, our bid was under NBC's bid, but we did what we thought was right for us."