The International Hockey Federation has agreed a five-year partnership with FOX SPORTS Australia, giving fans access to live and exclusive HD coverage of the Hockey Pro League, Hockey World Cups, Champions Trophies and Olympic Qualification Events until 2022, FIH has stated in a Press release.
FOX SPORTS, exclusively on Foxtel, will broadcast all 16 matches hosted by Australia’s Kookaburras (men) and Hockeyroos (women) as part of the game-changing Hockey Pro League which begins in early 2019. In addition, they will also provide full visibility across multiple platforms for all 144 Pro League matches taking place between January and June each year across the world, as well as the end of season Grand Final.
Before then Australian fans will be able to tune in to FOX SPORTS’ LIVE coverage of the Kookaburra’s title defense of both the Rabobank Hockey Champions Trophy in Breda between 23 June and 1 July 2018 and the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, taking place from 28 November until 16 December.
All Hockeyroos matches from the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018 between 21 July and 5 August as well as November’s Champions Trophy in Changzhou between 17-25 November will also be shown by the Australian broadcaster.
Speaking about this, FIH TV and Broadcast Director Andy Oram said: “With Australia one of the world’s greatest hockey nations it was important to engage with a broadcaster who would provide the platform their success deserves. We’re delighted that FOX SPORTS’ longstanding investment in the game will continue into what is an incredibly exciting time for hockey, both in Australia and across the world, and we look forward to developing the positive and constructive relationship we have built with them.”
“This is another important partnership agreed as part of FIH’s global distribution strategy, focused on delivering world-class production and content. It shows that the Hockey Pro League and our other flagship events are attractive propositions for broadcasters who are key to helping us engage with millions more followers across the planet,” he added.
FOX SPORTS COO, Peter Campbell, said: “FOX SPORTS is delighted to extend its partnership with the International Hockey Federation, a deal which will provide unprecedented coverage for the sport.
“FOX SPORTS will deliver more local and international action than ever before, broadcasting the exciting new Hockey Pro League from 2019, and with the 2020 Olympics just around the corner, we will be the place for fans to follow the Aussies with coverage of major events including the World Cup and Olympic Qualifiers.
“Our Australian hockey teams have achieved enormous success on the global stage but have had little visibility outside the Olympics. This new partnership will change that, providing significantly more coverage, both internationally and domestically, which will help grow the sport and showcase these incredible athletes.”
Hockey Australia CEO Matt Favier also welcomed this news. He said: “This partnership will provide extensive, high quality coverage of our game both within Australia and through FIH’s global broadcast partners and channels throughout the year. As a result, fans will now have many more opportunities to engage with the sport on a more regular basis.
“We know that great content is key to our success. The partnership with FOX SPORTS is one important element in our strategy of giving fans – and potential fans – the opportunity to experience our sport. Our content strategy considers a range of platforms with broadcast of course being very important.”
This partnership, which runs until December 2022, is the latest significant broadcast partnership agreed by the FIH in recent weeks, with Belgian broadcaster Telenet committing to similar terms. These partnerships indicate the commercial value of FIH’s event portfolio which has undergone extensive restructuring. With growing interest in FIH events around the world, the FIH expects to announce further partnerships in the coming weeks.
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Fox Sports bags FIH rights for Australia till 2022
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