Finnish public-service broadcaster YLE has renewed a rights agreement for the Ski Classics series of long-distance skiing events.
The new deal will run for two years and includes the option of an additional two years.
The deal has been signed ahead of the start of Season X of the Ski Classics today (Friday) in Livigno, Italy. A record number of Finnish teams and athletes will be competing in the new season.
Ski Classics chief executive David Nilsson said: “To prolong the agreement with YLE was for us important since it has been positive for Visma Ski Classics in Finland past years. Finland is a country where we still believe there is a lot of potential to develop with more events, more pro teams, and in general more Finnish professional skiers doing long distance skiing.”
Earlier this month, Nordic Entertainment Group (Nent) extended its rights in Denmark to the Ski Classics. The agreement with the W Sportsmedia agency, rights-holder for Ski Classics, also allows Nent to offer coverage in Iceland from the first half of 2020 onwards.
Nent’s deal followed on from the acquisition of Ski Classics rights in the US, Canada and Australia by international pay-television broadcaster beIN Media Group.
The series also streams live coverage on the official Ski Classics Play service, which is priced at €6.99 ($7.68) for a day pass, €9.99 per month or €39.99 per year.
The W Sportsmedia team attended October’s Sportel trade fair in Monaco, holding meetings in their Pro Tour trailer on show outside the Grimaldi Forum.