Since the IBU was founded in 1993, it has been tied with the EBU.

Today's announcement of a new agreement, which will run until 2018, means their partnership will have lasted a quarter of a century.

Exclusive talks between the EBU - a consortium of public service broadcasters –- and the IBU began in July last year.

The deal gives the EBU media rights to all 36 Biathlon World Cups, three World Championships, 28 Cups, four Summer Biathlon World Championships, four European Championships and four Youth and Junior World Championships.

More than 350-hours of live television will be transmitted free-to-air during the contract.

The EBU will also provide a number of other services to the IBU, including a streaming platform on the governing body's website.

The first competition to come under the new agreement will be the Summer Biathlon World Championships in Tyumen, Russia, from August 21 to 24.

Stefan Kuerten, EBU director of sports and business, said: "We are really pleased to prolong our cooperation with the IBU, a major world sports federation that we've worked seamlessly with since 1993.

"This latest agreement is a win-win for the Olympic sport of biathlon, for EBU members and, in particular, for our long-standing partner, the IBU.

"We have pushed our multi-services approach further, a move that has been well received by our clients, so we look forward to building on our success and further strengthening the partnership with our biathlon friends."