Global audience to tune into Clipper 2017-18 Race start from Liverpool
August 16, 2017
Millions of people from over a hundred countries around the world will be able to tune into live television coverage and video streams carried by international media, in addition to the official Clipper Race web site and social media channels, when the eleventh edition of the biennial Clipper Round the World Yacht Race gets underway from Liverpool, UK this weekend, Sunday 20 August.
“Our global media audience continues to grow significantly which is important for our Team Partners and Host Ports,” said Clipper Race Director of Sponsorship Jonathan Levy.
“The previous edition saw our unique global audience grow to well in excess of a billion people. The live coverage this weekend will not only provide significant exposure for our partners and their distinctively branded yachts but will also showcase Liverpool and its ability to stage a major international sporting event to a global audience; particularly important as a contender to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022.”
Live video streams of the departure ceremonies will be carried on-line from 0800 BST local time covering the crews’ farewell ceremony on stage, manning their boats and departing their moorings in Albert Dock. This will be followed by the fleet entering the Mersey and conducting a parade of sail along the waterfront for the tens of thousands of spectators anticipated to line both sides of the river.
At 1200 Noon BST the on-line feed will feature a special one-hour live TV show which will also be beamed around the world by satellite to include the race start at 1230 BST local time including live helicopter footage of the yachts racing around a tight circuit in front of the crowds before heading out to sea towards Punta del Este in Uruguay, their next port of call in this year-long 40,000 nautical mile ocean race around the planet.
It will capture the true Corinthian spirit of these ‘everyday’ people taking on this remarkable challenge. The 1-hour TV show will be broadcast on a range of international TV channels and news websites worldwide including Fox Sports in Europe and the Eleven Sports Network in the US and parts of Asia and Europe.
The live TV show and web streams are being produced by the Clipper Race Official Host Broadcaster, 1080 Media TV, voted ‘Best Online Broadcast Company 2017’ and producer of the award winning global documentary series ‘The Race of Their Lives’ which goes behind the scenes to follow Clipper Race crew as they participate in this unique global event.
The previous series in 2015-16 was broadcast in 171 countries and reached 914 million households around the world. “There is huge interest in the Clipper Race from international broadcasters and audiences on six continents,” said Cliff Webb, CEO at 1080 Media TV.
“No other event takes everyday people and trains them to take on the world’s toughest oceans. It is a very compelling human story and the success of the 7-part TV series speaks for itself. In addition, a growing global online audience now complements traditional live television coverage, attracting substantial audiences.”
