IAAF outlines plans for production joint venture

The International Association of Athletics Federations has issued a request for information with the intent of establishing a joint venture for its broadcasting and media production.

The IAAF hopes the venture will deliver a more unified and consistent approach to the host broadcasting of its events.

The venture would seek to support local organising committees by developing production capabilities to ensure high-level broadcasts. The IAAF said this would require investment in athletics-specific equipment and resources, as well as a better transfer of knowledge between events.

The IAAF believes that building production capabilities on its own would not be a viable route to take, and that the best course of action is to partner with a company whose production capability and experience would benefit from the IAAF's network, understanding of athletics, control of the calendar, and relationships with its members and local organising committees.

The IAAF will award the selected company an exclusive negotiation period following a month-long selection and interview process. The joint venture is expected to be operational by January 2018.

In other news, the IAAF has issued a request for proposal to select one or more media rights partners for its World Athletics Series in Europe and Africa. The agreement will cover all series competitions and the period will be determined following negotiations.

The IAAF said it would be open to proposals for wider regions or individual countries, and would favour those best positioned to exploit or act as agents for those rights in their desired territory.

The IAAF said in a statement: “New digital technologies have created opportunities for the IAAF and its media partners to deliver more flexible coverage of athletics which is increasingly demanded by the modern-day fan, whether they be a traditional supporter, potential new fan or the general sports-viewing public.

“Correspondingly, in offering its media rights in Europe and Africa, the IAAF will be receptive and flexible to creative proposals that show an understanding of the aspirations of athletics and the way that fans and casual viewers want to consume sports content.”

The schedule for the request for proposal outlines a two-month bidding process leading to presentations by the end of June and the announcement of a preferred partner, or partners, in early July.

IAAF chief executive Olivier Gers added: “Athletics needs to better embrace and exploit recent digital advances which allow more flexible delivery of our wonderful sport to the world, whether that audience is at home, in the office or on the move. We also must ensure we present the excitement and spectacle of athletics at its best and for that a consistently high level of production is essential.”