As well as covering traditional EBU territory, the agreement also sees the European broadcaster become the media rights partner of IBU across the rest of the world.

The agreement does, however, exclude the United States, China, Canada, South Korea and Japan which remain under the control of the ISU.

"The ISU is delighted to continue its long term partnership with the EBU by not only renewing its current contract with EBU Members but also by intrusting the EBU with the sale of TV/media rights in countries that currently do not show ISU disciplines," said Ottavio Cinquanta, President of the ISU.

"We are confident that through the EBU network and its new technologies the ISU will be able to offer top of the range content to the widest possible audience."

The new deal will ensure that more than 130 events over the fours season will enjoy maximum free-to-air exposure on EBU Members' radio, television and online channels.

The new agreement will see the EBU broadcast more than 130 ISU events across the four seasons including 52 World and European Championships ©Getty Images



The portfolio covers 52 World and European Championships in the three ISU disciplines of figure skating, speed skating and short track, as well as the series of Grand Prix and World Cups, and the ISU World Team Trophy of Figure Skating.

The EBU will distribute skating content through the Eurovision satellite and fiber network to right holders around the world bringing more than 1.000 hours of sport to right holders.

"As the ISU's exclusive long-term media partner, we present a tailor-made strategy to keep skating one of the strongest winter Olympic sports," said Ingolfur Hannesson, EBU head of sports rights for winter sports.

"We are proud to have reached this 50-year milestone, and we will continue building on our partnership with ISU to bring Ice Skating events to the widest possible audience."

The EBU-ISU partnership runs back to 1964 when it first broadcast the European Figure Skating Championships in Moscow.

The next major ISU event will be the Figure Skating World Championships in Saitama, Japan, which are due to start next Wednesday (March 26). 

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