FEI agrees eight-figure broadcast distribution deals until 2022
10 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on FEI agrees eight-figure broadcast distribution deals until 2022
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Dec. 4, 2014–The Internattional Equestrian Federation (FEI) announced Thursday renewal of its long-standing broadcast partnerships with the European Broadcasting Union and IMG through to the end of 2022.
The new agreements with EBU and IMG provide the FEI with a guaranteed minimum financial return of an undisclosed eight-figure amount and substantial additional value-in-kind in distribution and production-related consultancy and services.
The deals, the FEI said, will “generate markedly increased coverage of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events.”
The agreements cover broadcast rights to the FEI’s flagship events, including the World Equestrian Games in Bromont, Canada in 2018 and at a still be selected site for 2022, the European Championships in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021, and the annual World Cup Finals through to the 2018/19 season.
Key members of the Geneva-based EBU made up of 56 countries with a potential audience of 1.02 billion people have agreed to substantially improved broadcast commitments in the terrestrial, free-to-air sector which the FEI said will see equestrian sport being shown by public broadcasters throughout Europe.
The renewed agreement with IMG, a global leader in sports, fashion and media, confirms the company’s role as the FEI’s international distributor.
IMG will be in charge of distributing the world’s most prestigious and popular equestrian series, including the World Cup and the jumping Nations Cup circuits for the next five years. IMG will also be responsible for distribution of broadcast rights to the 2018 and 2022 WEG and the 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021 Europeans that are outside the agreement with EBU.
“The renewal of our broadcasting partnership with EBU and IMG through to 2022 comes with substantially improved terms and, on top of CNN’s pre-existing commitment to expand its coverage, provides our sport with the perfect showcase for existing fans and for an increasing fan-base world-wide,” FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said.
“The fact that we had so many bidders for the process shows that equestrian sport is seen as a really valuable property by the market’s key decision makers. Our partners at EBU and IMG are investing in a product that they truly believe in and they’ll be delivering more equestrian content to more viewers than ever before. We are looking at continuing unprecedented growth in the global coverage of our sport, both in the Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines.”
The Olympic disciplines are dressage, eventing and jumping while driving, endurance, reining and vaulting are also governed by the FEI in addition to para-dressage.
