Following a hotly contested bidding process, the new agreements with EBU and IMG provide the FEI with a guaranteed minimum financial return of an undisclosed eight-figure sum, and substantial additional value-in-kind in distribution and production-related consultancy and services.

It is believed that the agreement will generate markedly increased coverage of the world's most prestigious equestrian events.

The continued partnership with EBU includes broadcast rights to the FEI's flagship events, including the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018 and 2022, the FEI European Championships in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021, and the FEI World Cup Finals through to the 2018/19 season.

"We are delighted to be selected by the FEI to extend our existing partnership for another eight years", said Stefan Kürten, EBU director for sports and business.

"This new agreement will allow the FEI and EBU Members to further develop equestrian sport.

"It shows the commitment of EBU Members to extensively broadcast this Olympic sport on free-to-air channels, and we look forward to building on our previous success by increasing the exposure of equestrian sports and strengthening our relationship with the FEI."

Key EBU members have agreed to substantially improved broadcast commitments in the terrestrial, free-to-air sector which will see equestrian sport being shown by public broadcasters throughout Europe.

The broadcast renewal will give the EBU broadcasting rights for the 2018 and 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games among other prestigious FEI events ©Getty Images


The renewal of the 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 FEI World Cup and the FEI Nations Cup circuits for the next five years.

IMG will also be responsible for the distribution of broadcast rights to the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018 and 2022 and the FEI European Championships in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021 that fall outside the agreement with EBU.

"We have developed new relationships with broadcasters around the world over the last five years to familiarise them with the top equestrian events," said Michel Masquelier, chairman of IMG Events and Media.

"We are confident this new agreement will enable us to continue to grow and strengthen those partnerships and to promote the sport to a wider audience.

"It's an exciting prospect and we look forward to working alongside the FEI for a further eight years."

FEI secretary general Ingmar De Vos  added "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.

"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."

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