Multi-year deal starts this season

Quentin Fillon Maillet Getty Images Biathlon

Warner Bros. Discovery has agreed a multi-year rights renewal with the EBU for all men’s and women’s International Biathlon Union events.

The deal begins this season, and includes 44 countries and territories across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China). Viewers will be able to tune in on discovery+, Eurosport, and the Eurosport App. In the UK, the agreement only covers highlights, while Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Poland, and Russia are the European countries excluded from it.

The IBU World Cup starts in Kontiolahti, Finland (29 November – 4 December) and the next edition of the annual Biathlon World Championship set to take place in Oberhof, Germany (10-19 February 2023).

Warner Bros. Discovery vice president, sports rights acquisitions and syndication Trojan Paillot said: “Our deep winter sports heritage and expertise has seen us bring the biggest moments in biathlon to fans for more than 30 years. We also possess a proven track record of engaging wide audiences around the best winter sports events, such as reaching a record number of viewers for an Olympic Winter Games, while telling the stories of winter sports events and athletes all year-round as part of the most comprehensive live content offering.

2022-23 Biathlon key dates:

Biathlon World Championships (Men’s and Women’s)

10-19 February; Oberhof, Germany

BMW IBU World Cup (Men’s and Women’s)

Stage 1: 29 November – 4 December; Kontiolahti, Finland
Stage 2: 8-11 December; Hochfilzen, Austria
Stage 3: 15-18 December; Le Grand-Bornand, France
Stage 4: 5-8 January; Pokljuka, Slovenia
Stage 5: 11-15 January; Ruhpolding, Germany
Stage 6: 19-22 January; Antholz-Anterselva, Italy
Stage 7: 2-5 March; Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Republic
Stage 8: 9-12 March; Ostersund, Sweden
Stage 9: 16-19 March; Oslo Holmenkollen Norway

“We are pleased to agree a new long-term partnership with the EBU to ensure the world’s best biathlon events remain on our channels and platforms for the widest possible audience to enjoy for years to come.”

IBU secretary general Max Cobb said: “We are delighted to see Eurosport continuing to bring the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon and World Championships to our fans across Europe. The athletes bring thrilling performances creating unmatched drama in every competition, making biathlon truly must-see TV.”

Pascal Fratellia, commercial director of Eurovision Sport, said: “We are delighted to partner with Warner Bros. Discovery to bring the excitement of the biathlon to an even greater audience across Europe and beyond, complementing the fantastic coverage of the EBU members”.

“Biathlon has been one of the great winter sports success stories of the last few years, and we are proud to have played our part in that success as the IBU’s media partner since the very beginning.”

Image: Getty Images - Quentin Fillon Maillet