TVNZ Named As NZ Broadcast Partner For The America’s Cup

TVNZ Named As NZ Broadcast Partner For The America’s Cup World Series

Saturday the 6th of August, 2011

Starting with the America’s Cup World Series, event organisers will realise months of preparation as America’s Cup Television (ACTV) delivers its first broadcast. And to fulfil that vision in New Zealand, TVNZ will broadcast America’s Cup World Series live on TV ONE, beginning with the final fleet race in Cascais, Portugal on August 14.

In addition, TVNZ will carry America’s Cup World Series highlights as well as show America’s Cup Uncovered, the official weekly magazine programme on its website, tvnz.co.nz

Transforming the way that audiences connect with the sport is the shared focus of the team behind the new America’s Cup. To not only connect new audiences to the sport but also change the way people watch sailing, event organisers have made a significant investment in the production of next-generation broadcast images.

TVNZ’s General Manager of Sport Murray Needham, “TVNZ has had a significant involvement in past America’s Cup series and we are excited to be able to extend that in partnership with the America’s Cup Events Authority for the 34th America’s Cup, starting with the inaugural America’s Cup World Series event in Portugal. The new developments proposed for this edition of the America’s Cup, both in terms of sailing and broadcast coverage, are significant and we are looking forward to working with ACTV as competition gets underway on the water in the AC45 catamarans.”

Covering this action is the 100-strong outside broadcast crew that is the nerve centre of America’s Cup Television (ACTV). The team will use three helicopter cameras, four cameras on water, and land-based cameras to visualize the racing for the viewers completely. In addition, each boat will sport four onboard cameras, designed to be as ergonomic and lightweight as possible to minimise their impact on the racing yachts, while generating the high quality HD pictures needed for global television and online coverage. These onboard cameras will be able to pan, tilt, zoom and self clean so not a moment of onboard action is missed, while 14 onboard microphones will capture every sound.

America’s Cup Event Authority Chairman Richard Worth, “We're more than delighted to partner with TVNZ to continue its long, proud history with the Cup and bring the next generation of America's Cup sailing to New Zealand viewers. The comprehensive coverage they will provide, on free-to-air television in a key sailing market, is a valuable addition to our commercial landscape. TVNZ will help us to deliver a product that is compelling, exciting and world-class, telling the America’s Cup story in a way that is unique in sports today, and bringing the audience right onto the boats so they are embedded into the action.”

There will be three separate graphics systems including the revolutionary LiveLine graphics developed by ACEA Director of Technology Stan Honey and his team that will insert tactical lines, distances and speeds on the actual HD pictures, enabling all audiences to understand the action unfolding before them. In addition there will be a full 3D Virtual graphics system, Virtual Eye, to provide an even more comprehensive view of the racing.

In addition to the live and highlights production, ACTV has also created a new weekly magazine programme designed to connect viewers with the people, places and stories that are the backbone of the America’s Cup. Featuring behind-the-scenes sneak-peeks, athlete profiles and up-close action on and off the water, the global first America’s Cup Uncovered will take an in-depth look at the 34th edition over the next two years, offering an exclusive window into one of the most prestigious events in sport. Produced by Sunset + Vine, more than 90 episodes of America’s Cup Uncovered will be available through global broadcasters and on americascup.com. TVNZ will also carry America’s Cup Uncovered A new 30-minute episode is also available on www.tvnz.co.nz

ABOUT THE AMERICA’s CUP
Nearly 160 years old, the America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport. The America’s Cup has evolved into one of the world's leading sporting competitions – featuring the best sailors on the world’s fastest boats, the wing-sailed AC45 and AC72 catamarans. The new America's Cup World Series begins its inaugural season August 2011. In the summer of 2013, the 34th America's Cup begins with the Louis Vuitton Cup July 4-September 1, followed by the America's Cup Finals September 7-22. For more information, visit www.americascup.com

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