World Athletics has launched a search process to identify a host broadcasting partner for its World Athletics Series events for the next five years, from 2025 to 2029, which includes three editions of the World Athletics Championships.
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World Athletics has launched a search process to identify a host broadcasting partner for its World Athletics Series events for the next five years, from 2025 to 2029, which includes three editions of the World Athletics Championships. The partnership will commence from January 1, 2025, and will include the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in the first year. The event will witness the return of world-class athletics to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium, with a full crowd that was not possible during the Olympic Games due to the pandemic. The World Athletics Championships attracts a vast viewing audience of one billion people globally.
The first phase of the search process involves a Request for Information (RFI) to identify media companies that possess the necessary capability, advanced technology, personnel, and experience required to deliver a world-class production to satisfy a global slate of rights-holding broadcasters. This phase will be followed by a Request for Proposal phase, and finally, a decision phase, with the successful candidate to be appointed before the end of this year.
According to World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon, the current partnership with ITN launched in 2017 has been a great partner, elevating the quality of the host broadcast production and delivering more value to the rights holding broadcasters. He expressed his appreciation and gratitude to ITN for their excellent work so far. However, as the industry advances, it is essential to review the future and ensure the ideal production partner is identified to take the sport forward to the end of the decade.
Ridgeon stated that broadcast is a fast-moving industry that has advanced significantly in the last five years. Therefore, it is in the best commercial interests of the sport to understand the market again and identify a partner who can provide groundbreaking coverage of major championships. Ridgeon emphasized that the organization is striving for innovation and is looking for a partner with a similar vision.
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Interested parties can access the portal where all necessary documents required for the bidding process are available by using a unique login and password provided by World Athletics. The Expression of Interest phase will run until April 28, 2023. Successful candidates will receive a scope of work in early May, and final tenders are due by June 9, 2023. Partners who are interested have to respond through mail to [email protected] by 20 March 2023.
The World Athletics Championships is the sport’s premier event, and securing a host broadcasting partner for the next five years is a critical decision. The Championships bring together the best athletes from around the world to compete in various disciplines, including track and field, racewalking, and road running. The event showcases exceptional talent, determination, and sportsmanship and inspires millions of people worldwide.
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