The lack of a German broadcast platform for the Diamond League athletics series is a “major disadvantage” for the sport in Germany, according to the country’s International Association of Athletics Federations council member Helmut Digel.
The 2014 Diamond League season commenced today in Doha, Qatar, but is currently without broadcast coverage in Germany. Digel, who also serves as chairman of the IAAF Marketing/Promotion Commission, told the DPA news agency that the broadcast rights offered by Diamond League marketing partner the IMG agency “were not too expensive” adding athletics is now left with a minor presence on German television.
Commenting on the availability of Diamond League rights, Michael Röhrig, spokesman for Sport1, said the sports broadcaster is “always interested in attractive sports rights.” However, he added that “programming-related reasons” has led to it deciding against picking up the Diamond League.
Heike Gruner, spokeswoman for Eurosport, said the pan-regional sports broadcaster will transmit “numerous athletics events” in Germany this year, adding “attractive” sports rights such as the Diamond League are “always interesting” for the company.