Broadcasting rights deal secures terrestrial coverage in France

The deal with France Televisions covers all the IAAF WAS events through 2013 and will provide strong extensive coverage for the 2011 and 2013 IAAF World Championships that will take place in Daegu, Korea and Moscow, Russia respectively. 

France Televisions is the French public broadcaster with global penetration in its territory, and has been the IAAF’s long-time broadcast partner in France, through the previous EBU broadcasting deals.

Last summer, France Televisions very successfully broadcasted the EA European Athletics Championships in Barcelona, following on the back of the success of the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin, with both championships obtaining strong audience ratings.

With French athletics in rude health at present following the national teams exceptional performance in Barcelona where they secured 18 medals of which 8 were gold, it is expected that France Televisions, which is well known for its creative approach of athletics, will enjoy a very successful 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu this summer.  
 
With the conclusion of this French deal, the IAAF has secured the second of the top five European territories, having previously announced an agreement in the UK with Channel 4. The IAAF has now a stable of confirmed deals that provide coverage in 65 territories throughout IEC’s territory. Additional announcements are expected in the near future.

“All but one of the broadcasting deals which have so far been concluded in Europe are on terrestrial TV which is especially encouraging as it ensures the widest possible audience for the IAAF World Championships,” commented IAAF President Lamine Diack, “providing spectators and commercial partners with the best delivery of the sport of Athletics.”  

IAAF