EBU and World Rowing extend Media Rights Partnership

Audiences across Europe can look forward to continued access to world-class Rowing coverage, as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and World Rowing, the international governing body of the sport of Rowing, announced today the renewal of their European media rights agreement starting in 2025 and running until the end of 2032.

The new agreement marks the continuation of a longstanding partnership that began in the early 1980s. It follows on from the previous four-year contract, which concluded at the end of 2024.

Under the new agreement, coverage will span all major international Classic Rowing events including the World Rowing Championships, the European Rowing Championships and the annual World Rowing Cups series. As a new element, the collaboration also includes the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals – a new competition format that will make its Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Summer Olympic Games. Upcoming events include the World Rowing Championships (21-28 September 2025) in Shanghai, China, followed by the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals (6-9 November 2025) in Antalya, Türkiye.

13 EBU Members are part of the renewed agreement, with 6 EBU Members committing to cover World Rowing events up until 2032, including: HRT (Croatia), CT (Czechia)*, ARD/ZDF (Germany), ERT (Greece)*, RTE (Ireland), RAI (Italy, San Marino and Vatican), NOS (The Netherlands)*, TVP (Poland), TVR (Romania), RTVE (Spain)*, SRG (Switzerland)* and Suspilne Ukraine (Ukraine)*.

EBU has acquired the rights for Members to exploit across all media platforms, including linear TV and across all digital platforms, including audio. Additionally, Eurovision Sport, the EBU’s premier streaming platform, will broadcast all World Rowing and European Rowing Events concerned, complementing EBU Member broadcasts.

Adrian Fikentscher, Director of Acquisitions, Sales and Partnerships, EBU Sport said: “This renewed agreement builds on more than 40 years of successful collaboration between the EBU and World Rowing and further highlights the dedication of our Members in delivering world-class Rowing coverage to audiences throughout Europe and beyond. The acquired rights allow for an equal focus on men’s and women’s events, and include Para competitions, reflecting our dedication to inclusive coverage and reaching new fans across all platforms.”

Vincent Gaillard, Executive Director, World Rowing said: “For over four decades, the EBU has enabled fans across Europe to follow World Rowing events free of charge. All at World Rowing are very pleased to be continuing this valued collaboration across our Championships and Series and both of our Olympic disciplines, with parts of the agreement extending as far as 2032. By providing World Rowing with greater flexibility to activate its media rights in the digital space, this enhanced agreement ensures strong exposure for our sport and helps us connect with both existing and new audiences across Europe.”

Christian Osterode, Head of Broadcast & Marketing, World Rowing added: “We’re excited Rowing is continuously showcased within the high-quality environment of public broadcasting. This renewed agreement not only allows World Rowing to build on the progress made in recent years with regards to reaching fans in innovative ways, but also presents a fantastic opportunity for our new Beach Sprints format.”

This renewal is part of a wider series of media rights agreements and extensions announced by the EBU this year, in collaboration with partners including European Aquatics, European Gymnastics, FIBA, IBU and UCI.

*Rights secured until 2032

About EBU:

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is the world’s leading alliance of public service media. We have 113 Member organizations in 56 countries and have an additional 31 Associates in Asia, Africa, Australasia and the

Americas. Our Members operate nearly 2,000 television, radio and online channels and services, and offer a wealth of content across other platforms. Together they reach an audience of more than one billion people around the world, broadcasting in 153 languages. We operate Eurovision and Euroradio services.

About World Rowing:

World Rowing (previously named FISA (from the French, Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron) is the international governing body of the Olympic sport of Rowing. Empowered by its 159 member National Rowing Federations it sets the rules and regulations for the practice of the sport, in all its forms including Classic Rowing, Coastal Rowing, Connected/Indoor Rowing and Para-Rowing across grassroots, masters, and elite level. As part of its mandate, World Rowing oversees sanctioned events and provides advice and expertise for the organisation of Rowing regattas worldwide.