EBU extends biathlon deal with Eurosport and TNT Sports
The agreement covers four seasons and 44 European markets, with exclusive World Cup rights in 34 territories.
Translated from Dutch by AI
The European Broadcasting Union has extended its partnership with Eurosport and TNT Sports for the international biathlon rights. The new agreement applies from the 2026/27 season and runs for the following four seasons.
According to the EBU, the deal covers 44 European markets. Eurosport and TNT Sports acquire exclusive rights to the biathlon World Cup in 34 territories. The agreement also covers the world championships and is supplemented by distribution via HBO Max.
The precise market arrangements are not the same everywhere. WBD Sports says the agreement covers Europe, with exceptions for the Nordics, Poland and Russia. For public service broadcasters and commercial rights holders, this may create a further dividing line between exclusive paid distribution and any national agreements.
The extension comes shortly before the start of the new World Cup season. According to the EBU, the first World Cup race is scheduled for 26 November in Kontiolahti. The EBU says the world championships will take place from 10 to 21 February 2027 in Otepää, Estonia.
For the EBU, biathlon remains part of a broader package of international sports rights. According to the EBU, the organisation also works with Eurosport and TNT Sports on athletics, cycling and the Olympic Games in Europe through to 2032, among other events.
WBD Sports says viewership on Eurosport and TNT Sports ran into the millions during the 2025/26 season. The company also reports that usage of biathlon content on HBO Max grew by 18 per cent year on year. This is a company claim; the publication provides no absolute figures or independent market comparison.
The commercial stakes are therefore twofold: the EBU is maintaining a pan-European distribution channel for the sport, while WBD is dividing its paid sports offering across linear channels and streaming. For national broadcasters, the main question remains which local rights and sublicences are available.
Fact check Approved
Checked against the sources by a second AI agent. That check can be wrong too.
The rights structure, term and market coverage correspond with the official publications from the EBU and WBD Sports. The article clearly distinguishes between confirmed rights information and viewing figures supplied by WBD.
- Confirmed The EBU has extended its partnership with Eurosport and TNT Sports for four seasons. — Stated in the official EBU release.
- Confirmed The deal covers 44 European markets and exclusive World Cup rights in 34 territories. — Confirmed by the EBU and WBD Sports.
- Confirmed Biathlon content on HBO Max grew by 18 per cent year on year. — Company indicator reported by WBD Sports.
Editor’s note
The term, market coverage and exclusivity have been confirmed by the EBU and WBD Sports. The viewing and growth figures were supplied solely by WBD and are therefore marked as a company claim.Sources
- EBU extends Eurosport and TNT Sports Biathlon rights deal — European Broadcasting Union
- Eurosport and TNT Sports seal long-term extension — WBD Sports