The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) umbrella body of public-service broadcasters has extended its rights tie-up with the International Biathlon Union (IBU) until 2034.
The extension covers the 2030-31 through 2033-34 cycle – the current deal between the two parties was unveiled in mid-2024, and will come to an end in 2030.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
This renewal means the EBU will continue to hold the exclusive global media rights to IBU events for the next eight years, and will also act as host broadcaster for a range of top-tier IBU events during that period.
The relationship between the two parties initially got underway in 1993.
This new deal will cover three IBU World Championships – 2031, 2032, and 2033 – as well as four IBU Open European Championships, and a quartet of IBU Junior World Championships.
EBU members will receive at least 150 hours of IBU content across each regular season, spread over 14 weeks (around three-and-a-half months).
The IBU and the EBU will also continue to engage audiences more closely through streaming and through EBU members' digital platforms.
Glen Killane, executive director at EBU Sport, commented: "This extension will keep world-class biathlon freely accessible to millions of fans, while giving our members, partners, athletes, national federations and organizing committees certainty for years to come."
In terms of recent EBU rights activity, mid-June saw the body renew its deal with the European Olympic Committees, through which it will continue to hold rights for the multi-sport European Games through the 2031 edition.
Olle Dahlin, the IBU's president, added: "The evolution of our work with the EBU has seen huge growth not just in broadcast but across digital platforms. The extension of our partnership is therefore a testament to the value of biathlon and its ever-growing appeal across Europe and beyond. With this agreement, we have secured a bright future for biathlon."
