EBU renews European swimming rights

The European Broadcasting Union, the consortium of public-service broadcasters, renewed it rights deal with the Ligue Européenne de Natation (LEN), the governing body for swimming in Europe, for four years, from 2013 to 2016.

The EBU will distribute the worldwide media rights across all media platforms to all of LEN’s major events including the European Swimming Championships, the European Short Course Championships and the European Water Polo Championships.

Stefan Kuerten, director of the sports and business unit at the EBU, said: “The contract between the EBU and LEN is further proof of the mutual trust in this longstanding relationship and of a shared belief in the importance of wide-reaching, free-to-air exposure for key sports like swimming.”

LEN president Nory Kruchten said: “The agreement to continue our partnership with EBU into the next Olympic cycle is excellent news for LEN. The European Broadcasting Union is an ideal choice to support us in bringing European Aquatics to spectators across the globe and showcasing our athletes and championships on screens everywhere. LEN and EBU’s long time collaboration in this fundamental part of the promotion and development of our sports is of utmost importance.”