Monaco, 11 October 2010 – The International Ski Federation (FIS) and Infront Sports & Media are bringing a new dimension to the coverage of skiing, helping to further increase the international reach of FIS competitions. In a dual-pronged approach, high quality news coverage from a broad range of FIS World Cups in various disciplines will be made available free-of-charge both to broadcasters and fans.

While fans will be able to access the additional video content via the five established FIS discipline websites, broadcasters will be provided with a dedicated download platform offering broadcast quality news. These new services will start with the beginning of the 2010/11 season. The initiative was announced to the sports media community at Sportel Monaco (11-13 October 2010).

 

Free broadcast distribution service
For the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup and the FIS Freestyle World Cup, broadcasters will be offered free broadcast-standard video news releases. FIS in collaboration with Infront aims to further develop the coverage of these less widely known but youthful, thrilling and action packed winter sports.

 

The news feed will be offered through a dedicated download server (http://www.news.infrontams.tv) and feature beauty shots, track, top three final runs, interviews and podium coverage. The news will be provided within six hours from the end of each event together with a detailed run-down in English language. Broadcasters will be given, on request, a user name and password valid for a season.

 

Roberto Nosotti, Director Winter Sports at Infront, explained: “The aim of the project is to deliver fresh FIS World Cup images from one central source, encourage broadcasters to show news highlights of the booming disciplines of snowboard and freestyle skiing. We have already received very positive feedback and strong expressions of interest from broadcasters, in particular because this is the first time that the FIS Freestyle World Cup benefits from such a value-adding service. This is another step forward in our long term and fruitful partnership with FIS in terms of programme production and distribution.”

 

The news coverage is produced by Infront in co-operation with Mainstream Marketing, a US-based sport event management company. The files will be provided in WMV format, 25 fps, 16:9 (4:3 safe) aspect ratio and 720x576 frame size.

 

Media player introduced for fan websites
Ski and snowboard fans worldwide will benefit from much enhanced FIS World Cup discipline websites. Five of the available platforms, www.fisalpine.com, www.fiscrosscountry.com, www.fisskijumping.com, www.fissnowboard.com and www.fisfreestyle.com will feature a media player module, offering free, high-quality action clips on the five FIS World Cups.

 

The best moments of a competition day will be featured and be accessible, in principal, within four hours from the end of the last competition of the day for Alpine, Cross-Country and Ski jumping and within six hours from the end of each competition for Freestyle and Snowboard. The clips will remain available on the FIS websites for the entire winter season (until 30 April 2011).

Sarah Lewis, FIS Secretary General, said: “All the FIS events generate a wealth of exciting action and we want to make sure that all fans have a chance to see it. Given the extended nature of the diverse FIS World Cup series, using the internet is a great way to ensure that fans can see what they want to see, when and where it suits them.”

 

The initiative is being managed by Infront Italy and Infront Advanced Media Solutions.

 

Infront – leading in winter sports
Infront Sports & Media, based in Zug, Switzerland, has grown impressively in recent years and is today one of the leading international sports marketing agencies in the world. The company employs more than 500 employees across 24 offices in 10 countries and enjoys long-lasting partnerships with around 130 rights holders and hundreds of commercial partners.

 

In recent years, Infront has focused strongly on developing its role in winter sports, to the point that it now represents six of seven Olympic winter sport federations at international level. This includes a long-term partnership with the IIHF in world ice hockey and a major role in international skiing, where it manages more than 90% of the media and/or marketing rights to FIS World Cup events. Partnerships with the FIBT for bobsleigh and skeleton, FIL for luge, the IBU for biathlon and the WCF for curling complete Infront’s winter sports portfolio. As a result Infront is able to offer the very best winter sports opportunities from one central source.

 

About FIS
Founded in 1924 during the first Olympic Games in Chamonix, France, the International Ski Federation (FIS) aims to promote the sport of skiing and snowboarding and directs the development of all ski and snowboarding activities world-wide. FIS succeeded the International Ski Commission (CIS) that was established during the first International Ski Congress held on 18th February 1910 in Christiania (later Oslo), Norway. 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of international skiing and sees the sport embarking into its second century.

 

FIS administers the Olympic disciplines of Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding, including setting the international competition rules. With the help of its 110 member nations (one currently suspended), it stages more than 6’000 ski and snowboard competitions annually. FIS also makes recommendations for recreational skiing and snowboarding in the interest of all and promotes play in the snow as a healthy leisure activity for children and the youth. For more information, please visit www.fis-ski.com.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Jörg Polzer
Associate Director, Corporate Communication
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-79-77 22 548
press infrontsports.com
www.infrontsports.com

Broadcast Partner Contact
Anna Banach
Manager, TV and Media Rights
Infront Italy Srl
Tel. +39 02 771121
rights infrontsports.com

Riikka Rakic
FIS Communications Manager
Tel. +41-79-64 34 281
rakic fisski.ch
www.fis-ski.com