Olympic Channel and Discovery Communications unveil new partnership in Europe

The Olympic Channel and Discovery Communications today unveiled a new partnership to engage a new, younger and wider audience in Europe with the Olympic Movement, bringing to life the inspiring human stories of ambition, sacrifice and achievement all year round across more screens.

The agreement covers 50 markets in Europe and will advance the shared ambition to further amplify Eurosport’s live coverage of the Olympic Games with compelling content that connects more audiences with the power of sport and the Olympic Movement 365 days a year.

Launching 2nd August, fans will see

  • Olympic Channel-branded programming hours and content launching on Eurosport and Eurosport Player
  • Eurosport presence on the Olympic Channel; an Olympic Channel digital portal on Eurosport.com
  • Digital amplification of content through dedicated presence on Eurosport’s local Facebook pages and Twitter handles.

Eurosport will use its sport production capabilities and expertise to produce new and exclusive original content for sports fans across all platforms, as well as access to localised content, original series, news and other engaging features.

The Olympic Channel will promote Eurosport’s platforms, with its coverage of live sporting events and the Olympic Games.

Mark Parkman, general manager of the IOC’s global Olympic Channel, said: “As we approach our one-year anniversary, this new partnership is an important step as we continue to grow and expand the platform across the globe with localised versions further enabling fans to discover, engage and share in the power of sport and the excitement of the Olympic Games.”

 Jean-Briac Perrette, Discovery Networks International President and CEO, said: “This long-term partnership with the Olympic Channel raises the bar in terms of delivering the very best Olympic stories to more audiences in the most accessible way.

“For Eurosport, the Olympic Games is always much greater than two weeks of sport.  Establishing a long-term partnership with the Olympic Channel to produce, distribute and showcase the very best Olympic content will significantly strengthen our ongoing programming that will keep the Olympic flame burning all year-round.”

Gfinity and BBC announce deal to broadcast esports live on BBC Three

Gfinity has announced a ground-breaking new partnership with the BBC that will see live esports broadcast on BBC Three.

Tournament games and exclusive short-form video content from Gfinity’s Elite Series will be aired for the next six weeks.

Live coverage every Friday, Saturday and Sunday will incorporate popular titles Street Fighter, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Rocket League.

The partnership will also include a live blog around each broadcast, plus lifestyle sections focusing on the stories behind the players taking part in the Elite Series.

Neville Upton, CEO, Gfinity plc says: “This is an incredible moment for the Gfinity Elite Series and for esports fans in the UK and internationally.

“Our partnership with BBC Three will bring Elite Series live and lifestyle content to millions of new viewers and showcase the incredible dedication and passion of professional gamers.

“We are extremely excited to announce to all of our fans, players and partners that for the next six consecutive weeks the Elite Series will be broadcast live on BBC Three.

“The BBC is one of the world’s most renowned and respected broadcasters and their commitment to the Gfinity Elite Series is a defining moment for esports and we are very proud to be a part of it.”

Damian Kavanagh, Controller, BBC Three says: “Esports has become hugely popular in the last few years with young audiences so it’s great that BBC Three can bring this to a mainstream audience and create new habits with younger audiences as we stream three of the most popular games on BBC Three across the weekend.”

Porsche set to compete in Formula E from 2019/20 season

Porsche has revealed plans for a factory-backed works team to compete in the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship starting in season six.

As part of a new strategy and realignment of Porsche’s existing motorsport programme, the German manufacturer has committed to join Formula E from the 2019/20 season.

Porsche joins an impressive list of manufacturers already involved in the series – including prestigious names like Mercedes-Benz, who also recently announced its intentions to enter the championship in the same season.

With the introduction of both Porsche and Mercedes, season six would see the number of teams increase to 12.

Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Porsche to the FIA Formula E Championship. If somebody told me when we started this project five years ago, that we’d be announcing a partnership with a brand like Porsche, I wouldn’t have believed it.

To have a name like Porsche in Formula E, with all it represents in terms of racing and heritage – and in terms of sport cars – is an inflexion point in our quest to change the public perception about electric cars. The electric revolution continues, and Formula E remains the championship for that revolution.”

FIA President Jean Todt added: “Porsche is a brand which has a fantastic history in motorsport, and its intention to join the FIA Formula E Championship alongside so many of the world’s biggest car manufacturers is very positive.

It’s clear that the hard work done to create a relevant laboratory for developing electric vehicle technologies has been successful, and I look forward to seeing Formula E continue to be a place of great sporting competition as well as innovation. I’m very happy that Porsche is coming to Formula E, but I regret their decision to leave the World Endurance Championship.”

From season five, Formula E will no longer require two cars per driver and the potential of a mid-race car change. Each team will compete with two cars from the 2018/19 season onwards, instead of the current four, as a clear testament of the advancement in battery technology.

New-look futuristic cars will also debut in season five and will incorporate new electric technology to allow for a single car to complete a full race distance.

Skype and IAAF launch World Championships London 2017 live-coverage bot SPIKES

SPIKES, the official Skype Bot for the world of international track and field athletics, is launched today to mark one week to go to the start of the IAAF World Championships London 2017 (4-13 August) and the publication of official athlete entry list for the championships.

The bot, which was developed in collaboration with Skype, will go live directly and cover every angle of the World Championships in London including the athletes, the event disciplines and results during the 10 days of competition in the stadium and on the streets of London.

“With the official launch of the SPIKES Bot on Skype, the IAAF has taken an exciting and innovative path to engage with sports audiences in a personalised way,” commented IAAF CEO Oliver Gers.

“Athletics is an objective sport. The athletes that run the fastest, jump higher or longer and throw farthest are the winners. However, to the new or casual fan, our sport can seem complicated as those winning performances are governed by technical rules and regulations. Added to that there are also a lot of athletes and many event disciplines.

“The SPIKES Bot platform enables new fans to break down the complexities of athletics. The simple and interactive Skype interface will allow our bot users to explore, follow and receive real-time updates based on their specific interests. Fans can learn or go deeper into the sport.

“Launched as the IAAF World Championships London 2017 are set to begin, the bot enhances the experience of the fan, regardless of whether you are at home watching on TV, on the go trying to keep up with the action, or in the stadium getting an additional background.

“Business-wise, we are also learning in real time what fans are interested in, to optimise the coverage of our sport to best feed fans’ appetites,” concluded Gers.

The SPIKES Bot will bring you up close and personal with all of the action from the IAAF World Championships. Updates from Skype will include videos and images of the most breathtaking moments, all served directly to you, as well as ‘Live View’, a one-click way to get updated with live reports directly from the Olympic Stadium in London.

The SPIKES Bot also lets you customise which athletes and specific competitions you wish to be updated on through the ‘My Spikes’ watch-list.

To learn more about bots and in which countries they are available visit the Skype FAQ and Skype Bots feature page.

How to add Skype Bot to a chat:

  • On Windows, click on the new bot directory on the toolbar. You can then view and search for available Skype bots.
  • On Android phones, tap Recent and select the floating bot icon to add a bot. Or go to the contacts page and tap on the floating action button (the “+” on the lower right). From here, select the new “Find bots” option to view and search for Skype bots.
  • On iOS, click on the “Add Bots” I con on the upper right from your Recants page. Or go to the contacts page and tap on add contacts on the upper right. From here, tap on “Bots” to view and search for Skype bots.
  • On Mac, Click Contacts, then click Add Bot….Scroll through the list of available bots or use the search field to find the one you want. When you’ve selected one, click Add to Contacts. The Skype bot will show up in your Contacts list.
  • You can also add a Skype bot via a link on supported platforms. Clicking the link will open a Skype chat with the bot.

Liverpool bid progresses to final phase of 2022 Commonwealth Games selection process

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has today announced that Liverpool’s bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games – in partnership with Manchester – will progress to the final phase of the Government’s selection process.  The Government is expected to decide if it will support a UK bid in September.  

Reacting to the news, Brian Barwick, Liverpool 2022 Bid Chairman said:  “This is fantastic news for the entire city, region and our bid partner Manchester and is a testament to the quality of work and huge efforts of the bid team, the city councils and all our partners over the last few months.

We are now in the home stretch in the race to persuade Government that our Liverpool-Manchester partnership will be ground-breaking for the Commonwealth Games, while also financially sound and good for the UK.

Our plan is to be responsible, inspirational, and transformational because that is the Liverpool way and I’m confident we will deliver on all these fronts if granted the great honour of hosting these Games.”

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool added:  “Liverpool’s vision for the 2022 Commonwealth Games is to make our city proud, make Britain proud and make the spirit of the Commonwealth soar.

We are a world famous city with a track record of delivering unforgettable events on the international stage and anyone who has visited us in the last decade will have seen the journey of change we have been on, a journey that is far from over. 

“By hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games, up to a billion pounds of investment will be fast-tracked – so this bid makes huge sense for the city.  What we are proposing is a win-win-win – for Liverpool, the Government and the Commonwealth Games Federation and we will work tirelessly in the coming weeks to persuade the government that Liverpool is the right choice to help showcase Britain in a post-Brexit world.”

Formula E names Aurora Media and North One as host broadcasters

Aurora Media Worldwide and North One Television have joined forces in a new partnership as host broadcasters of the FIA Formula E Championship.

The contract was awarded to a co-venture between both North One and Aurora – who have continued to produce coverage of Formula E since the inaugural race around the Olympic Park in Beijing in 2014.

The new collaboration will see both companies work together to produce the world feed coverage and on-screen content – showcasing electrifying wheel-to-wheel racing, captivating storylines of the championship contenders and the distinctive city-centre locations featured on the Formula E calendar.

North One and Aurora have teamed up to bring fans closer to Formula E, with 50% more trackside and pitlane cameras, 40% more crew on-site at each race, new-look on-screen graphics and double the onboard cameras.

Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E, said: “I’m delighted to welcome North One Television to the Formula E family as host broadcaster for next season alongside Aurora Media Worldwide. Since the inception of Formula E, we’ve worked closely with Aurora to showcase exciting and electrifying racing in the tight confines of some of the world’s leading cities.

Over the first three years, Aurora has assisted with the smooth production of high-quality content – telling the unique story of Formula E. The next chapter of our partnership will be very exciting and together with North One we aim to further improve the viewing experience for fans – bringing the very best of Formula E to homes all around the world.”

Neil Duncanson, CEO of North One Television, added: “Formula E is simply the most exciting development in motor racing in a generation. Just last weekend we watched racing in the middle of New York – the first time in more than 120 years that’s been possible – and the crowds, fan engagement and enthusiasm for the spectacle were amazing.

It really has captured the imagination of a new generation of sports fans – across multiple platforms – and we look forward to helping this young series grow into something bigger and better from next season onwards.”

Lawrence Duffy, Managing Director of Aurora Media Worldwide, said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious contract. Formula E is genuinely one of the world’s most innovative rights-holders and Aurora’s journey has matched their ambition and invention. It’s great to have North One join us, as the companies have similar views on entertaining audiences in the ever-changing landscape of modern sports media.”

Sainsbury’s commits to supporting ParalympicsGB through to Tokyo 2020

Sainsbury’s has renewed its successful partnership with the British Paralympic Association (BPA) for the next four years, including both the PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020 Games.

As the first Paralympic-only sponsor of the London 2012 Games, Sainsbury’s subsequently partnered with the BPA to support the historic performances of the British team at Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016, generating national support for ParalympicsGB from both customers and colleagues.

In Sochi, ParalympicsGB won its first ever gold medal at a winter games and in Rio the team secured 147 medals, eclipsing the London 2012 medal haul to finish second in the medal table. The continued partnership with Sainsbury’s will help ensure the BPA can send the best-prepared team of athletes to compete at Paralympic Games, as ParalympicsGB look to consolidate their position as one of the world’s strongest Paralympic nations.

Tim Hollingsworth OBE, Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association, said:

“Sainsbury’s is very much at the heart of the Paralympic family here in the UK, their engagement has shown a true understanding of the power of Paralympic sport and they have encouraged their customers and colleagues to really get behind ParalympicsGB.

“We know that the inspirational performances of our athletes on the field of play can help to change perceptions and help to create a better world for disabled people. Sainsbury’s has a very clear understanding of our vision and have engaged superbly around programmes to impact on the lives of young people in particular. I am delighted to see that this successful partnership will continue through to Tokyo 2020.”

Mike Coupe, Chief Executive, Sainsbury’s Group, said:

“Sainsbury’s is proud of its continued sponsorship of ParalympicsGB as it’s something our customers and our colleagues really get behind. Seeing the team go from strength to strength, and knowing that we’re playing a small part in this success, is hugely inspiring for us all.

“Inclusivity, for both our colleagues and our customers, is at the heart of Sainsbury’s values, which is why we are so keen to continue to support ParalympicsGB and help change perceptions of what it means to have a disability. We look forward to seeing what the team can achieve at Tokyo 2020.”

Aston Villa announce Hisense as new official technology partner

Aston Villa Football Club is delighted to announce Hisense as its new official Technology Partner.

Hisense UK, the Leeds-based UK subsidiary of the global electronics supplier, will spearhead activities like fan engagement, sponsorship maximisation and brand presence at home games over the course of the 2017/18 season.

Luke Organ, the club’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “This is a very important strategic partnership for Aston Villa. We are proud to have partnered with such a strong consumer brand who share a mutual love for football.

“Throughout the course of the partnership we shall work hard to drive strong ROI for Hisense across the spectrum but particularly utilising our understanding of data to drive affinity, propensity and ultimately product sales.

“We look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

Rongtian He, Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Overseas Business Officer, continued: “We are delighted to work with Hisense, a globally known Chinese brand.

“Despite Hisense being known to football globally, we are very proud to become their first football partner in England and in assisting them in achieving key strategic goals for their UK business.

“Securing Hisense is testament to the new approach we have toward our partnerships, focusing on delivering tangible returns for our partners through the new commercial team being assembled here.

“We look forward to working with Hisense and developing the relationship to potentially incorporate some of the wider, international projects led by Recon Group.”

Howard Grindrod, Hisense UK’s deputy managing director, added: “Aston Villa are a massive club with an iconic stadium and an incredible fanbase so we’re delighted to announce this partnership with one of the biggest clubs in England.

“As excitement continues to build ahead of the new season, we’re looking forward to kicking off our sponsorship.”

Carl Frampton signs sponsorship deal with JD Sports ahead of homecoming fight in Belfast

Northern Irish boxer Carl Frampton has signed a multi-fight sponsorship deal with leading sports retailer JD. ‘The Jackal’ joins an illustrious list of fighters within the JD boxing stable, and will be looking to kick things off with a win on Saturday as he returns to his home city Belfast for a WBC eliminator showdown.

JD’s logo will appear on the fight week kit of Frampton and his corner team, as well as Frampton’s fight night shorts. Through the partnership, JD receive exclusive access to Frampton’s training camp, and all the footage can be seen on JD’s social media channels, as well as in upcoming #JDUndisputed episodes.

Saturday’s fight will see Frampton pitted against Mexican fighter Andres Gutierrez who, like Frampton, has only one professional defeat to his name.

This will be The Jackal’s first fight back in Belfast after four fights on the road and his first fight since losing the WBA (Super) Featherweight title to Léo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas last January. Fans are expecting an electric atmosphere at the SSE Arena, as tickets for the homecoming sold out within seconds of going on general release.

Carl Frampton said: “I am delighted to partner with JD at such an exciting time in my career. They have showed continued support for British boxing, and I look forward to working with them as I make my comeback fight in Belfast.

“It was a tough loss to take in Las Vegas, but I am ready to get back on track on Saturday and kick off the partnership with a win in front of my hometown fans.”

JD Group Marketing Director Stephen White said: “We are delighted to add Carl Frampton to our growing stable of JD fighters. He is a gifted fighter with great character and has demonstrated his ability to perform in world title fights on multiple occasions.

“We are looking forward to Saturday’s fight, and are proud to associate with Carl as he makes his way back to the top of world boxing.”

Georg Seiler confident German GP will be a ‘highlight’ of 2018 Formula 1 calendar

Georg Seiler, Managing Director of the Hockenheim-Ring GmbH, believes the German Grand Prix will be one of the highlights of the 2018 Formula One calendar.

Germany was dropped from the 2017 championships due to the Nurburgring circuit’s financial troubles, meaning it was unable to fulfill the country’s biennial swap deal and host a F1 race.

But Hockenheim is set to host next year’s event and will place greater emphasis on attracting a younger audience, courtesy of reduced ticket prices for junior fans.

Seiler is delighted to welcome back the motorsport and is keen to embrace the changes ushered in by new owners Liberty Media: “I have been following this season’s developments with great interest.

“The technical advances and changes to the regulations have helped to make the contest more exciting than ever with fans being treated to some amazing battles on-track between the drivers. F1 is clearly alive and well.

“In addition, the new approaches to fan engagement have helped to create an even more immersive live experience for all Grands Prix visitors.

“I am confident that our race weekend will be a real highlight of the 2018 calendar and, alongside Formula 1’s new owners, Liberty Media, I am excited to welcome back the biggest motorsport event in Germany in 2018.”