Eurovision Sport and FIG sign new exclusive media rights partnership

Eurovision Sport and FIG sign new exclusive media rights partnership posted: 20/05/2020

Eurovision Sport and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) are delighted to announce that they have reached agreement for EBU Members across Europe and North Africa to broadcast exclusive coverage of FIG World Championships in Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampoline Gymnastics for the cycle 2021-2024.

The agreement also includes non-exclusive rights for non-Olympic disciplines and events.

The partnership, which follows the announcement in February of an extension of Eurovision Sport's exclusive worldwide media rights deal with European Gymnastics, covering the same four-year period as the FIG agreement, further establishes the EBU and its Members as the natural partners of the sport of Gymnastics.

The agreement represents a return to Public-Service Media for the FIG, and Eurovision Sport thanks the FIG for placing its trust in the EBU and in free-to-air TV, which once again becomes the home of Gymnastics' most iconic events, bringing increased visibility and viewer engagement to the sport.

Moreover, FIG and Eurovision Sport will jointly develop a digital strategy for content exploitation, including an OTT solution for Gymnastics under the umbrella of the EBU and its Members.

Worldwide distribution of the feed, via satellite, fibre and IP, is presently handled on FIG's behalf by Eurovision Services.

FIG President Morinari Watanabe commented: We are thrilled to have signed this agreement with Eurovision as we believe that European Free-to-air television is the right place for our sport on the continent. It will allow greater exposure for our Gymnastics disciplines as well as providing higher visibility for our partners. We are sure that this agreement will be instrumental in growing our audience in many European territories with a strong Gymnastics tradition.

Glen Killane, who will take over as Executive Director of Eurovision Sport next month, said: With many of Gymnastics' World Championships scheduled to be held in Europe in the forthcoming cycle, there will be an increased editorial interest from our Members in helping to build the profile of Gymnastics from 2021 onwards. We look forward to a bright future together with FIG.

Beatriz Pastor y Puga, Eurovision Sport's Senior Sports Rights Manager, added: It is a pleasure for the EBU and its Members to have FIG as a new partner at a time when Public-Service Media have established themselves as the reference point for free-to-air access to sports content. We are looking forward to bringing the very best Gymnastics action to both existing fans and more diverse audiences, placing the focus on youth engagement through our digital exploitation strategy.

LINK:	https://www.live-production.tv/news/sports/eurovision-sport-and-fig-si...
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