Universal Sports will continue to air all Austrian FIS World Cups to U.S. audiences. NBC Sports Network is to broadcast European FIS World Cups for the first time ever.

The EBU and Universal Sports Network have reached a deal on media rights to expand coverage across the USA for the FIS 2015/16 and 2016/17 Skiing World Cups to be held in Austria.

The deal continues the long-standing partnership between the EBU and Universal Sports Network, and compliments the U.S. network’s full season programming slate of FIS events. In addition to extensive live and delayed coverage of all the Austrian Alpine Skiing World Cups on Universal Sports, the agreement also calls for NBCSN to broadcast the legendary World Cups in Kitzbühel and Schladming for the first time ever. The marquee events are scheduled to take place just ahead of the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek that are set to air in the USA on Universal Sports, NBC and NBCSN.

This agreement follows the extension last year of the deal between the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV) and the EBU for worldwide rights until the end of the 2017/18 season.

The Austrian rights package includes the crown jewels of Alpine skiing in Kitzbühel and Schladming, along with the final two events of the Four Hills Tournament, the world's most prestigious ski jumping competition, in Innsbruck and Bischofshofen. In total, there are more than 30 World Cup races of various FIS disciplines in Austria every season.

Ingolfur Hannesson, EBU Head of Winter Sports, said: "We are pleased to be able to bring the very best of Austrian Alpine Ski racing to large audiences in the USA. This is a breakthrough for the World Cups and demonstrates the scope of the EBU in this marketplace where we work hand-in-hand with our excellent partners."

Professor Peter Schröcksnadel, President of the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV), expressed his pleasure with this development: "All our World Cups are on top-level, organized by true professionals and therefore become attractive for broadcasters around the world. We Austrians are groundbreaking in our way of performing in the ski sport and with the help of our friends at EBU and Universal Sports Network/NBC Sports Network we can improve the global recognition of the ski sport."

Robert James, Universal Sports Network SVP of Content and Communication added: "We are thrilled to extend our on-going partnership with the EBU and the Austrian Ski Federation, which demonstrates our commitment to the sport of skiing and showcasing the world’s best athletes and events to fans nationwide.”