TV4 signs media rights agreement for the 2012-2017 IIHF World Championship
Infront ensures long-term coverage in Scandinavia, one of the major ice hockey markets worldwide
The agreement between Infront and TV4 covers all television (including terrestrial, cable, satellite, and broadband platforms), radio and internet as well as mobile rights on a FREE and/or PAY basis. The 2012-2017 IIHF World Championships – in particular the games of the Swedish national team – will be covered across various platforms of the TV4-Group, including television channels and websites (e.g. www.csports.se).
Scandinavia prepares for 2012 and 2013 events
“We look forward to providing the TV4 audience with comprehensive coverage of one of the biggest sports events of the year. Furthermore we are significantly strengthening our position within ice hockey in the region”, says Johan Kleberg, Head of Sports Rights Acquisitions for the TV4-Group. “The 2012 and 2013 tournaments are of particular interest as they are co-hosted by Finland and Sweden and will attract significant levels of public interest and in-depth coverage across the whole of Scandinavia.”
“This agreement between Infront and TV4 is remarkable as it ensures the long-term coverage of the IIHF World Championship in one of the world’s major ice hockey markets”, says Bruno Marty, Infront’s Executive Director Winter Sports. “The Final of the 1970 IIHF World Championship reached one of the highest TV-audience levels in Swedish broadcast history and figures have remained high ever since. This is clear proof of the popularity and unparalleled status of ice hockey in the country. We are convinced that the high-quality host broadcast production supervised by Infront will provide a base from which TV4 – over the course of the next six years – will be able to supply some of the best and most successful ice hockey programming to date.”
Infront delivers full services
For its coverage of the annual IIHF World Championship, TV4 will be provided with television pictures and broadcast services that match the best standards on offer in sports today. Since 2009, the IIHF World Championship has been fully produced in high definition television (HDTV) quality, providing broadcasters with both vibrant pictures but also some of the most exciting camera angles from all the games.
As exclusive media and marketing partner of the IIHF, Infront Sports & Media is not only handling the host broadcast production, but also the global media and marketing rights for the IIHF World Championship. In 2012 and 2013 the Group’s role will become even more comprehensive. Through its subsidiaries in Finland and Sweden, Infront is in partnership with the two organising committees, providing expertise and support in various areas related to the event, including national sponsorship rights, VIP hospitality services and/or promotion.
The 2011 IIHF World Championship will be held in Bratislava and Kosice (Slovakia) from 29 April to 15 May and can be followed by fans in the Scandinavian and Baltic region on Viasat. The broadcaster held the rights for the IIHF World Championships for the last 23 years.
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media, based in Zug, Switzerland, has grown impressively in recent years to become one of the leading and most respected international sports marketing company’s in the world. Infront employs more than 500 experienced staff across 24 offices in 10 countries and offers high quality services in four business areas: media and marketing rights, media production and sports services (hospitality, advertising solutions, ticketing, etc.). Infront has long-lasting partnerships with close to 120 rights-in clients as well as hundreds of sponsors and media companies on the rights-out side. Annually, the Group helps to deliver more than 2,300 event days of top class sport around the world.
For further information, please contact:
Jörg Polzer / Nike Möhle
Corporate Communications
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-41-723 15 15
Fax +41-41-723 15 16
press infrontsports.com
www.infrontsports.com
Martin Nersing
TV4 Group
Tel. +46-768-98 85 38
martin.nersing tv4.se
www.tv4.se
