ITV delivers free-to-air coverage of SailGP

UK pubcaster ITV has secured a free-to-air deal with SailGP to provide exclusive live coverage of the sailing sport.

The nine event weekends will be broadcasted on the broadcaster’s streaming platform ITVX, with all events in Season 4 of SailGP aired across ITV’s digital and linear network, including ITV1, ITV4 and ITVX.

The event opens in Chicago at the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix on June 16 and 17, with the first of 18 live 90-minute race day shows to be live streamed on ITVX and France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez will be shown on the network’s flagship channel ITV1, which coincides with the broadcasters’ coverage of the Rugby World Cup.

Highlights from Los Angeles will be broadcasted on ITV4, with live racing all weekend on ITVX,  highlights show of the Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco will also be aired on ITV1 and all other events in the season will have highlights programs broadcast on ITV4. Meanwhile events in Sydney, Auckland and Canada will be shown on ITV4 on delay to ensure the best possible viewing times for UK-based fans. All other events can be watched in full either live or on-demand on ITVX, alongside SailGP’s behind the scenes series Racing on the Edge on ITVX.

Niall Slone, ITV director of Sport, said: “With live coverage across 18 days throughout the season, coming from fantastic locations across the world, available on ITVX as well as highlights on ITV4 and ITV1, There is an opportunity for our audiences to engage with all the action.”

SailGP global head of broadcast and media Tom Gracey added: “We’re thrilled to be working with the team at ITV to bring SailGP to more UK fans than ever across their linear and digital suite of channels, with Sir Ben Ainslie, Hannah Mills and the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team taking on the world’s best. ITV are renowned at bringing the biggest sporting moments to audiences across the country and we’re excited to be part of their premium sports output for Season 4.