EBU and IMG sign landmark agreement with UCI for worldwide cycling rights
The EBU and IMG have been appointed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to distribute the worldwide rights to all World Championships for the next eight years.
The agreement will see the EBU and IMG partner with the UCI for the annual Road, Track, Mountain bike, Cyclo-cross, BMX and Urban Cycling World Championships from 2017 to 2024. It will also include the UCI Track Cycling World Cup and the Telenet UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup over the period.
The rights have been acquired on all platforms for all territories worldwide (subject to ongoing agreements for a limited period in certain territories). The EBU will directly handle the rights distribution in Europe and, under EBU sub-license, IMG will distribute rights for the rest of the world. Through the EBU, free-to-air coverage will be provided in key cycling territories in Europe including in Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. EBU and IMG will provide, in their respective territories, an unprecedented exposure to all UCI events.
In addition, the EBU, through its operational arm EPC (Eurovision Production Coordination), will act as host broadcaster for the UCI Road and Track Cycling World Championships taking place during the course of the agreement.
"The EBU is delighted to partner again with the UCI to offer extensive coverage of UCI World Championships throughout Europe. This partnership reinforces the relevance of the EBU and Members services, ranging from rights distribution to production and network distribution, in the field of summer sports in general and in particular the world of cycling", added Stefan Kürten, EBU Director of Eurovision Services & Sports Rights.
Brian Cookson, President of the UCI, declared: “I am very pleased that we have agreed this new partnership with the EBU and IMG as I am convinced it will bring our main events to the broadest possible audience worldwide. The signing of such a long and significant agreement is further proof of the renewed confidence stakeholders have in the UCI and I am looking forward to working hand-in-hand with the EBU and IMG over the next eight years.”
Adam Kelly, SVP, Head of Global Business Development, IMG, said: “There is an increased appetite and interest in all forms of cycling around the world. We will be tapping into our vast global network to ensure maximum exposure for all disciplines across as wide a range of territories as possible. This is a very exciting new development for cycling and we are delighted to be playing our part.”
About the UCI
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the world governing body for cycling recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The UCI’s mission is to develop and promote cycling as a competitive sport, as a healthy recreational activity or as a means of transport. The UCI governs the eight disciplines of the sport of cycling: road, track, mountain bike, cyclo-cross, BMX, trials, indoor and para. Four of them are represented at the Olympic Games (road, track, mountain bike and BMX), two at the Paralympic Games (road, track) and three at the Youth Olympic Games (road, mountain bike and BMX). Additionally, the UCI promotes a number of its own events, including the UCI Road World Championships, an iconic annual event, and a wide range of other UCI World Championships and World Cups across the various disciplines.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, operating in more than 25 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of sports media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, a leading global entertainment agency.
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