European Athletics and EBU sign long-term agreement
European Athletics is pleased to announce that it has renewed its worldwide media rights contract with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
The long-running partnership, which has been in place since 1981, has been extended for the period 2016-2019.
The renewed commitment is for the worldwide television and radio rights for European Athletics' major events including the Amsterdam 2016 and Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships, the Belgrade 2017 European Athletics Indoor Championships and the yet-to-be awarded 2019 indoor championships.
The agreement also covers the European Athletics Team Championships and European Cross Country Championships taking place during the four-year contract period.
European Athletics and EBU renew their commitment following impressive viewing figures for the most recent championship events. The 12-17 August Zurich 2014 European Athletics Championships had a cumulative audience of 358 million.
European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz said, "We continue to work on increasing the popularity of athletics across Europe, and to do so we need a strong television partner. I am therefore very pleased that we are set to continue our long-standing and valued partnership with the EBU. They give us the biggest platform to promote our sport on public free-to-air TV channels throughout the continent.”
Stefan Kürten, EBU Director of Sports & Business Department, said, “This new agreement underlines our commitment to athletics and the promotion of the sport throughout Europe. Such agreement is a win-win for the Olympic sport of athletics, for the EBU Members, and for our long-standing partner, European Athletics, and showcases the EBU’s complete range of services.”
Christian Milz, Director General of European Athletics, said, "We aim to continue to work with EBU to ensure our sport remains an attractive product for television audiences in Europe – and worldwide. And in synergy with EBU and using their expertise, we also look forward to realising the potential of our video content on multiple digital platforms to reach an even wider audience including more young people.”
EBU Head of Sports Rights - Summer Sports Julien Ternisien said, “With this agreement, EBU and its members have shown a strong and enthusiastic commitment to the further development of athletics across Europe through the broadcasting of European Athletics’ major championships on free-to-air television channels.”