Sohu (NSDQ: SOHU), the Chinese portal company who already is the online host/content provider for the upcoming Beijing Olympics, has now snagged the rights for the live webcast of all the events, in a deal with the internet arm of CCTV, the Chinese state television network. Though the release doesn’t say so, assuming this is only for China. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

SEE ALSO: Beijing Olympics: Chinese State Broadcaster Makes Online Plans With MySpace China, Tudou.com

In 2005, Sohu reportedly paid $30 million for the rights to host the Games’ website and to use its logo, reports NYT. This deal led to Sohu claiming exclusive rights to host all advertising by Beijing sponsors, and the other rival portals including Tencent, Sina (NSDQ: SINA), Netease (NSDQ: NTES) and others formed an alliance against it.

Sohu will have a staff of over 700 employees working during the Olympics to provide the coverage, and interestingly, says it will be at least 60 seconds ahead in its Chinese athletes coverage than of any other website, though not sure what that means: does that mean the webcast/news is live for them and delayed for others?

Meanwhile, in related issues, other broadcasters don’t yet know if their applications for licenses to transmit live from major landmarks had been approved for the Beijing Games, despite previous promises by China to grant access, reports Reuters. “The line we’re getting from various authorities is that policies on live transmissions from outside Olympic venues and iconic sites have not been decided yet,” said Kevin Fleck of Global Vision, which provides services to Olympic sponsors.

WSJ: TV crews from around the globe had assumed they would be allowed to broadcast live images from the host city’s iconic locations, and follow potential breaking news in China beyond the sports venues. But since early May, Beijing officials have declined to approve applications for the satellite hookups media companies need to provide live coverage of Beijing. The key is reconciling the government’s desire to keep a tight grip on information with the demands of thousands of foreign journalists accustomed to having free rein.