EBU nets European ‘second division’ media rights deal for 2018, 2022 World Cups

Football World governing body FIFA has granted the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) exclusive media rights for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and 2022 tournament in Qatar in 37 European countries. The new deal,which does not include the main TV markets of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, is claimed to represents a significant extension of the current FIFA-EBU contractual set-up for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup media rights and will see the EBU Members in the countries provide substantial free-to-air coverage of most matches in the next three FIFA World Cups, including the already agreed for 2014.   Commented EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot said: "We are honoured and proud that FIFA has placed its complete trust in the EBU and its participating Members for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups broadcast coverage. This contract is a humbling compliment, and testament to the EBU's reputation as an ideal partner in the sports media rights industry."