The International Hockey Federation has agreed a new four-year extension to its partnership with BT Sport, confirming the broadcaster as the ‘Home of Hockey’ in the UK until 2022.
BT Sport will show more than 600 hours of live and exclusive hockey coverage each year across all their platforms, during which they will utilise their industry leading technology and innovations to bring fans into the heart of the action.
A key factor of this extended partnership with BT Sport is the launch of the new FIH Pro League, where 152 matches will be played by nine top-level men’s and women’s teams between January and June each year.
BT Sport will be the host broadcaster for all Great Britain and England women’s and men‘s home matches in the FIH Pro League, as well as the FIH’s official production partner for all of Pakistan men’s home matches, which will be played in Glasgow, Scotland.
The 2019 Series Finals will also be shown by BT Sport, featuring the world’s leading teams not playing in the FIH Pro League, including Ireland, Scotland and Wales. These events mark a key stage on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Later in 2019, BT Sport will showcase the end-of year climax to the international hockey year as the top teams from the Series Finals will square up to the best teams from the FIH Pro League in winner-takes-all, two-header, Olympic qualification events.
Commenting on BT Sport’s rights extension with FIH, CEO Thierry Weil said:
“With BT Sport having been at the forefront of innovation and technology within our sport, we‘re delighted to agree this new long-term partnership for our flagship events with a broadcaster that reflects our ambitious Hockey Revolution strategy.
“Their world-class coverage and content creation will not only be key to enagaging millions more followers across the planet, but also an inspiration to other broadcasters showcasing our sport.”
BT Sport stepped into live hockey coverage in 2015, covering the leading FIH international competitions such as the Champions Trophy and World Hockey League, while it secured the rights to show the men’s and women’s World Cups in a separate deal with the FIH last year.
Jamie Hindhaugh, chief operating officer at BT Sport, added:
“It’s a hugely exciting time for international hockey and we’re delighted to continue showcasing our groundbreaking coverage for another four years. Brand new competitions like the FIH Pro League further demonstrates the range of world class men’s and women’s sport that viewers can regularly enjoy on BT Sport.”
BT Sport’s latest innovations will be witnessed during the 2018 Hockey Women’s World Cup which starts in London on 21 July.
This year’s biggest women’s sporting event will see matches broadcast in 4K Ultra-High Definition (UHD) using High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Dolby Atmos surround sound, allowing viewers to experience the best-ever picture and sound quality from a hockey event in the sport’s history
England’s first game of the tournament will also be made available to watch for free via the BT Sport app.
England Hockey CEO Sally Munday said:
“BT Sport have been a fantastic partner for our sport and I am delighted that they have agreed this new long-term contract with the FIH.
“With the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup about to start here in London, this is the perfect opportunity to see how much BT’s coverage brings our game to life both on and off the pitch. Our vision is to create ‘A Nation Where Hockey Matters’ and the FIH’s agreement with BT Sport helps us move even closer to that.”
BT Sport’s coverage of the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup will be presented by Chris Hollins and Sam Quek, with Kate Richardson-Walsh, Helen Richardson-Walsh, Crista Cullen, Mel Clewlow and Simon Mason all part of the commentary and analysis team.
For more information about BT Sport’s hockey coverage, visit BTSport.com.
