TVNZ Named NZ Broadcast Partner for the America’s Cup World Series

by Sail-World on 5 Aug 2011
Television New Zealand has been named as the TV broadcaster in New Zealand for the America’s Cup World Series, which will be carried 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 program on its website.

Murray Needham, General Manager, TVNZ Sport: '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 hugely 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 center 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 minimize 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.

Richard Worth, Chairman, America’s Cup Event Authority. '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 program 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 each week for viewing at www.americascup.com and www.tvnz.co.nz.

'Audiences are looking for different experiences, so we’ve created a varied offering of television programming to really extend our reach,' said Worth. 'We’re putting a great deal of time and care into our production to create stylish sporting programming that will resonate with audiences across the globe.'