WORLD POWERBOAT COVERAGE PROPELLED INTO NEW TV ERA
Race for prestigious TV contract won by London based independent Sports News Group
The rejuvenation of the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship continued apace today, with the announcement that London based Sports News Group have been asked to mastermind the rebirth of the series as a major force in sports television.
They have appointed Keith Mackenzie as executive producer while BBC Resources Ltd will provide the television production facilities.
The fiercely competitive six-way pitch of internationally renowned television production and distribution agencies, demonstrates the growing level of interest in Class 1 Powerboat Racing as it heads into a new era under the guidance of Offshore Sport Promotion.
The appointment by series promoter Offshore Sport Promotion (OSP), requires Sports News Group to oversee outside broadcast production and worldwide distribution for all eight rounds of the Championship from June to November. Commenting on the decision, Jann Hillestad, managing director of Oslo-based OSP, said:
"The appointment of Sports News Group brings together the collective creativity of Keith Mackenzie and the technical excellence of BBC Resources. We believe that this exciting combination will bring a fresh approach to both the filming and the look of the sport, which is exactly what is required to steer the series into the twenty-first century. There are obvious parallels between Class 1 Powerboat Racing and Grand Prix racing, so I can think of no-one better suited to take the Championship to a global audience."
From the majestic fjords of Norway to the exotic waters off Istanbul, Sports News Group will utilise a total of 13 cameras per round to achieve unparalleled production values. This will include two heli-cams and the world-leading BBC Resources’ mini-cam technology, used to great effect on the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race, the London Marathon, International test cricket and Formula One.
Such high-quality production values, will however be no stranger to Sports News Group’s television consultant and executive producer, Keith Mackenzie. The Bafta Award and Olympic Award-winning former BBCTV Sport man, is used to calling the shots on 36 camera shoots at events such as the Winter Olympics, Cheltenham Festival, Grand National and the British Grand Prix. Indeed, Mackenzie will combine his work on powerboats with his current role as executive producer on ITV’s Formula One coverage.
Graham Gutteridge, spokesman for Sports News Group said he was looking forward to an exciting challenge.
"For too long, powerboat racing has been confined to the ghetto of the programme filler, with poor scheduling during unsocial viewing hours. We aim to change all that by taking the world’s most spectacular and glamorous water sport to the wider acclaim that it deserves."
It has been a week of announcements for the series promoter who recently confirmed the host countries for the eight race series as Italy, Norway, Russia, Turkey and Dubai. The Class 1 World Powerboat Championship is now set to create even greater waves as the season progresses.