UCI agrees deal with European Broadcasting Union and IMG

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has appointed the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and IMG 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, sale pills Track, impotent Mountain bike, sick 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.

Brian Cookson, President of the UCI said,: “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.”

EBU Director of Eurovision services and Sports Rights Stefan Kürten (who will be participating in the iSportconnect Digital Strategy Masterclass in April) added:”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”

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.

Adam Kelly, SVP, Head of Global Business Development, IMG, added: “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.” 

 

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