IAAF REVEALS RECORD BROADCAST SALES

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has announced that international television sales of the 2008 season for the ÅF (sponsor) Golden League and Athletix have reached new record highs. The IAAF's commercial partner IMG/TWI has closed deals that will see the Golden League shown in 150 territories worldwide with TV revenues continuing on their upward trend.

Although the Golden League was already visible in key markets in 2007, there is increased coverage in the two key strategic regions of the USA and the Middle East. In the USA, a new deal has been brokered with ESPN whereby all six Golden League meetings will receive live and repeat coverage with a combination of ESPN Classic and ESPN2 which, according to an IAAF statement, "should translate into increased penetration and audience compared to previous years".

In the Middle East, the Golden League will now be seen terrestrially throughout the region, thanks to an agreement with Arab States Broadcasting Union. In addition, the IAAF revealed that TV sales for Athletix, the official IAAF TV magazine, continue to rise, and the series will be seen in 85 territories in 2008. A new agreement in Africa with TV5 will add to the coverage already in place via Canal France International. The IAAF statement added: "Athletix is now a must watch show for athletics fans around the world."