Following British Eurosport’s coverage of the Benson & Hedges Cup, many ice hockey fans have been waiting expectantly for news of further TV coverage. Agreements have now been signed and the first announcement brings a great ‘New Years Resolution’ for ice hockey fans and the broader public alike.
The Ice Hockey Superleague is delighted to announce that Channel 4 will be broadcasting 10 programmes of 1-hour duration, starting on Thursday 18th January 2001.
The coverage will be based around the Superleague’s Challenge Cup competition and will run for ten consecutive Thursday nights. The Ice Hockey Superleague has been looking to not only increase TV exposure, but also to add new styles of coverage.
The Channel 4 broadcasts will take the form of a ‘lifestyle’ programme which will be transmitted at 12pm (midnight) each week. The series will be hosted by Gary Imlach, one of Channel Four and UK’s most respected sports presenters, with previous credits including American Football, and Tour de France cycling on Four.
Martin Perry, Production Director for the Ice Hockey Superleague, for Channel 4, said. ‘With these 10 programmes on Channel Four we hope to broaden the sport’s fan base and give it a terrestrial TV platform it has long deserved. The programmes will include a mixture of action and features. Just as Channel Four has done with its cricket coverage, the ice hockey will be shown in a new and exciting format.
‘We have a mission to explain the game to viewers coming to it for the first time – and just as importantly, a mission to entertain. The players, the coaching staff, the fans – they will all play a major part in our coverage. We will take our cameras as close to the action as possible. It’s fast-moving, exciting, aggressive; the programmes have been designed to bring that sense of dynamism to the screen.’
This agreement is the first formal announcement and will reach and estimated terrestrial audience of in excess of half a million per broadcast.
Ian Taylor, Chief Executive of the Ice Hockey Superleague, commented. ‘The Ice Hockey Superleague is very excited by the added dimension Channel 4 will give Ice Hockey in the UK. The nature of the broadcast will encourage a large core of existing ice hockey fans and a whole host of new viewers to watch or record the programme.’
Details of a very significant Ice Hockey Superleague’s ‘Live and Delayed’ Rights Agreement contract are to be announced shortly.
For further information please contact:
Alyson Pollard
Media Manager
Ice Hockey Superleague Limited
Tel: 01530 838899
Fax: 01530 83005
Web Site: www.ICEweb.co.uk