Austrian Ski announces six-year partnership deal extension with Eurovision Sport

The Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV) has confirmed that its media rights partnership with Eurovision Sport will be extended until 2024. This means that European audiences will continue to be able to view these exciting winter events free-to-air.

The Association stated that the deal covers the exclusive broadcasting rights in Europe (outside of Austria,) to all FIS Skiing World Cups taking place in Austria. This includes the major alpine events in Kitzbühel (including the Hahnenkamm downhill,) and Schladming, plus the best of ski jumping from the last two events of the Four Hills tournament in Innsbruck and Bischofshofen.

Additionally, the scope of the media rights has expanded beyond traditional areas to now include more digital and immersive exploitation including a winter sport fantasy game, launched last month, with a unique ‘direct to fan’ experience.

Eurovision Sport, a division of the EBU, has continued to see audiences for the races grow with 20 broadcasting partners covering this year’s competitions. Kitzbühel, for example, has had an average live market share of 25.6% on public service media over the last 10 years, growing from 20.8% in 2009 to 30.9% in 2019.

Overall there are more than 30 World Cup races each season across the disciplines of alpine, ski jumping, nordic combined, snowboard and freestyle.

Eurovision Sport executive director, Stefan Kürten, said: “This agreement, together with our existing deals with Swiss Ski and the IBU, means European audiences are able to enjoy the number one winter sports events through our excellent partnerships free-to-all.

Meanwhile, head of winter sport at Eurovision, Robert Portman, added: “We guarantee the widest possible exposure for our Federations, including in the important Nordic region, and continue to help sport reach new audiences with innovative digital solutions on all platforms.”

Peter Schröcksnadel, ÖSV president, underlined how the long term cooperation has proved to be successful for both partners: “Its prolongation ensures the widespread distribution of high quality Austrian events across Europe on free channels, a priority for ÖSV.”