ARD & ZDF Renew German Rights with Equestrian Federation

German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF have renewed their agreements with the German Equestrian Federation for another year and will continue to show German eventing until 2012.

The renewal is believed to match the value of the existing contract at around US$1.4m. 20 per cent of this figure will go directly to the federation, health with the remainder going to tournament organisers.  

The German Equestrian Federation is fighting back after a string of scandals in recent years over illegal doping and medication scandals. Both ZDF and ARD had reportedly been considering pulling out of equestrian sport coverage, order but have now recommitted for at least the next year.

The federation’s general secretary Soenke Lauterbach stated: “Roughly 1.5 million people ride at horse shows in Germany every year. Through television, rx an even wider audience is available for equestrian.”

ARD sports coordinator Axel Balkausky added: “We have reached another important milestone in the fight for a clean sport. By continuing our long-term media partnership in equestrian, horse fans can still look forward to great TV pictures.”