Sunset+Vine announced that the world’s premier global sailing challenge, the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, has generated record television coverage.
The television company, which produces and distributes coverage of the race, has revealed that the challenge is being shown by 68 broadcasters to more than 100 countries.
Brand new elements, such as HD format and the introduction of a media crew member for each boat, have brought home the full colour and drama of the spectacle, resulting in a huge uptake from broadcasters.
Nina Scales, Head of Sales and Marketing at Sunset+Vine, has reported a 20 per cent increase in broadcasters for the 2008-09 race, compared to 2005-06.
“We are delighted with the interest,” she said. “We have all the real heavyweight broadcasters on board and the geographical spread is particularly pleasing.”
The race started in Spain in October and takes in 11 ports, concluding in St Petersburg, Russia, in June 2009.
The teams will sail over 37,000 nautical miles of the world’s most treacherous seas via Cape Town, Kochi, Singapore, Qingdao, around Cape Horn to Rio de Janeiro, Boston, Galway, Goteborg and Stockholm.
Scales continued: “We have the major broadcaster for the country of each port-stop, and their commitment to the race has certainly increased.
“When you have the likes of CCTV broadcasting in China and PBS in the US, you can be the sure the race has the best possible reach.”
The race, which is also shown in the UK through Sky and Channel 4, has followed the path of Formula 1, the Olympics and the soccer World Cup, in being one of the first sports to adopt HD format.
Sunset+Vine Executive Producer Sarsfield Brolly said: “There’s no question that the nature of sailing, and the kind of images you capture from a race out at sea, make for fantastic viewing.
“It’s a sport that should probably be shot only in HD from now on. There’s certainly been a very positive response from broadcasters.”
The narrative of each boat’s journey is charted by seven on-board cameras, operated by a media-trained crew member, whose job is solely to ensure the best coverage, leaving the other crew free to focus on the sailing.
“It’s more than just a race – it’s an adventure which makes for a very compelling story,” continued Brolly. “Relationships are played out in front of the viewer, involving real human drama and emotion.
“Our aim was to produce a show that appeals to everyone, novice and expert alike.
“We certainly feel that our line of programming, which sits between the uninitiated and the sailing expert, has resulted in increased audiences and uptake across the globe.”
