Front: UEG President Georges Guelzec (left) and EBU Director Sports & Business Stefan Kürten (right) shake hands.
Back: UEG Administrative Director Kirsi Erofejeff-Engman (left) and EBU Head of Sports Rights - Indoor Sports, Ingolfur Hannesson (right).

Geneva, 7 August 2012 – The European Union of Gymnastics (UEG) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have agreed an all-inclusive global media rights and services deal, taking the organizations' more than 25-year relationship to a new level.

The agreement prolongs the current UEG/EBU arrangement, covering ten championships between 2013 and 2016, including all Men's and Women's European Artistic and Rhythmic Championships.  In addition, the EBU will distribute on behalf of UEG the European Championships in Trampoline, Aerobic and Acrobatic gymnastics.

The EBU will also be the UEG's exclusive worldwide service partner on various levels of contract management, implementation and signal distribution, including live broadband internet streaming of all European Artistic Championships during the term, and close cooperation on other new media exploitation.

Asked about what led to the agreement, UEG President Georges Guelzec said: "The EBU's professional expertise, its satellite and fibre network, and the potential for development were key elements in our decision. European Gymnastics in all its forms can count on a partnership anchored in durability and excellence."

EBU Director Sports & Business Stefan Kürten commented: "This extension of our relationship with the UEG is great news for Gymnastics. Our new organizational structure and enlarged services portfolio better enable us to serve the best interests of the sport, our Members and the UEG."

EBU Head of Sports Rights - Indoor Sports, Ingolfur Hannesson, added: "This partnership renewal will give the UEG maximum exposure for its Championships, as well as a variety of EBU services to strengthen its position in the sports events marketplace."

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About the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)

The EBU serves 74 Members in 56 countries in and around Europe. It represents its Members and promotes the values and distinctiveness of public service media in Europe and around the world. The Eurovision and Euroradio networks deliver news, sports, events and music to EBU Members and other media organizations. Services to Members range from legal advice, technical standardization and development to coproduction and exchange of quality European content. For more information about the EBU: www.ebu.ch and www.eurovision.com