This deal was signed by the IEC in Sports agency, the IAAF’s exclusive media rights holder agency for Europe and Africa.
Channel 4 will show almost 50 hours of coverage of the 2011 Championships next August in Daegu, South Korea, including all evening sessions and a primetime daily highlights programme.
“This is excellent news,” said IAAF President Lamine Diack, “and underlines the important work that IEC is doing to secure free to air coverage in major television markets, with deals that also reflect the inherent value of our sport.
"The IAAF family will find Channel 4, to be a dynamic and vibrant terrestrial channel. Not only does it deliver strong ratings but it is particularly popular amongst the younger 16-34 year old age group, which fits in perfectly with the IAAF’s current and future development strategy."
The BBC had held the TV rights to the event since 1983.
