Swedish Match Tour hits the airwaves

by Event Media on 24 Nov 2005 The Swedish Match Tour’s 50th anniversary event, the Monsoon Cup (Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, Nov. 29-Dec. 4), will be broadcast live to nearly 450 million homes in Europe and Asia.

Eurosport has opted to show the final two days live, its first live sailing programming other than the Olympic Regatta. Eurosport reaches 250 million homes in 54 countries.

Tomorrow, Nov. 23, Eurosport will broadcast Stage 3 of the Swedish Match Tour, the St. Moritz Match Race, at 10 p.m. CET. American Ed Baird recorded his fourth Tour victory in St. Moritz with a 3-0 blanking of compatriot Mark Mendelblatt. The program is scheduled to re-air Nov. 30, at 10 p.m. CET. (See below for schedule.)

The final two days of the Monsoon Cup will also be shown live on ESPN Asia and ESPN Hong Kong. ESPN India, ESPN Taiwan/Philippines and TV3 in Malaysia will show the final day live. The networks combine to reach 195 million homes. (See below for schedule.)

Next Tuesday, Nov. 29, the U.S.-based network OLN will air a preview show of the Monsoon Cup. The show is scheduled to air at 4 p.m. ET and 1 p.m. PT. OLN reaches 62.9 million homes in the U.S. and Canada.

‘The Tour’s broad television distribution package is one of its main assets,’ said Tour Director Scott MacLeod. ‘We’re very pleased that the Monsoon Cup will garner the attention it deserves. Not only is it an inaugural event, but it’s our 50th anniversary event and should be outstanding.’

Sportshows TV (a division of Narrowstep, Inc.) is the Tour’s television partner, producing 10 programs a year. ‘This is a major step forward for the Tour and the profile of the sport, achieving the kind of coverage that only the Olympics and the America’s Cup have previously commanded,’ said Cliff Webb, Executive Producer.

Swedish Match Tour partners include Swedish Match, BMW and the Match Race Association. Swedish Match Tour Official Sponsors include Musto, Sebago and Travel Places.

For more information on the Swedish Match Tour, its competitors and events, please visit the official Tour Web site, www.SwedishMatchTour.com. Swedish Match Tour television programs may be viewed by clicking on the Tour television button on the home page of the Web site.

Upcoming Swedish Match Tour Television Schedule:

Program: St. Moritz Match Race, Stage 3 of 2005-’06 Swedish Match Tour
Region: Europe — Network: Eurosport
Dates and times: Nov. 23, 10 p.m. CET

Program: Monsoon Cup Preview
Region: U.S. — Network: OLN
Dates and times: Nov. 29, 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT; Dec. 1, 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT (both programs 30 minutes)

Program: Monsoon Cup Live, the 50th event of the Swedish Match Tour
Region: Europe — Network: Eurosport
Dates and times: Dec. 3, 6:20 a.m.-8:40 a.m. GMT (live broadcast); Dec. 4, 6:50 a.m.-9:10 a.m. GMT (live broadcast)

Program: Monsoon Cup Live, the 50th event of the Swedish Match Tour
Region: Asia — Networks: ESPN Asia, ESPN Hong Kong
Dates and times: Dec. 3, 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (live broadcast); Dec. 4, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. (live broadcast)

Program: Monsoon Cup Live, the 50th event of the Swedish Match Tour
Region: Asia — Networks: ESPN India, ESPN Taiwan/Philippines, TV3 (Malaysia)
Date and time: Dec. 4, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. (live broadcast)

Program: Monsoon Cup, the 50th event of the Swedish Match Tour
Region: U.S. — Network: OLN
Dates and Times: Dec. 20, 4 p.m. ET; Dec. 22, 4 p.m. ET (both programs 30 minutes)

Program: Swedish Match Tour 2005 Year in Review
Region: U.S. — Network: OLN
Dates and Times: Jan 2, 4:30 p.m. ET; Jan. 5, 5:30 p.m. ET (both programs 30 minutes)