US sports broadcaster Universal Sports Network, a subsidiary of the NBC network, has entered into a multi-year rights deal with Fina, the global governing body of aquatic sports.
Under the terms of the deal, Universal Sports will air the governing body’s flagship events in the US through 2021. The multi-platform contract includes exclusive television and internet rights.
The next four editions of the Fina World Championships in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021 are covered by the agreement, along with the World Swimming Championships (25m) in 2016, 2018 and 2020; the Diving World Cups of 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020; and the Synchronised World Cups in 2014 and 2018.
Fina president Dr. Julio C. Maglione said: “The United States is a very important market for Fina and many of our greatest stars come from this country. This emphasises the added-value of this agreement with Universal Sports in the US territory; its multiplatform approach is also of paramount importance to highlight the performances of our best athletes to the widest possible audience.”