Seven retains rights to Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
Network Seven has kept its exclusive right to broadcast the start of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht race.
The announcement:
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the organising authority of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, is pleased to announce the Seven Network has been granted an extension of the exclusive rights to broadcast the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race from 2011 to 2015.
The new agreement takes effective from the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and will continue up until the end of the 2015 race. The existing broadcast rights cover the 2010 edition of the 628 nautical mile blue water classic.
One of the most watched Australian sporting events on Boxing Day, 26 December holds a unique place in many Aussie hearts, including rugby great Phil Waugh who sailed in last year’s race aboard Investec Loyal. Prior to taking to the water last year, Waugh had fond memories of sitting down in front of the television with his family to watch the great race start on Sydney Harbour.
The Seven Network will produce and broadcast nationally a 90 minute live program of the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht race, with commentary provided by CYCA member Gordon Bray, who has hosted the last three start broadcast programs.
Outgoing CYCA Commodore Matt Allen made the formal announcement to CYCA members at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Annual General Meeting, held last evening.
“I am delighted to announce the Seven Network has been granted exclusive live broadcast rights for the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race up to and including the 2015 race, Commodore Allen said.
“Seven Network have strived each year to deliver a well rounded program that provides the general public and sailing audience with key information about the blue water classic and all the yachts involved,” Allen added.
The broadcast will be supervised by Saul Shtein, Seven Network’s Head of Sport, and a former competitive sailor. Having managed the live broadcasts for the last five years Shtein knows the intricacies and technical challenges of covering yacht races and has a great idea of what the public wants.
“The Rolex Sydney to Hobart is an iconic event on the Australian sporting calendar. The race start is spectacular. The Seven Network is delighted to continue its association with the CYCA and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race broadcast,” Shtein said.
In addition to the start program, Seven Network will provide regular ‘in-race’ updates that will be shown nationally at key intervals throughout the day up until the overall winner of the race is announced.
Further, the CYCA has granted the Seven Network, through its online affiliate Yahoo!7, the exclusive worldwide internet/online rights to webstream the live 90 minute broadcast of the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2010 and the regular in race updates.
Seven will also broadcast the race film produced by Rolex, ‘Spirit of Yachting’, in January, adding to coverage of one of Australia’s most watched sporting events.
Source: Cruising Yacht Club of Australia press release
