Abu Dhabi Media named as Volvo Ocean Race broadcaster

Abu Dhabi Media Company has been confirmed as a broadcast partner for the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race.Race organisers and IMG Media, host broadcaster and global media distributor for the event, said partnerships had been inked with 57 broadcasters covering more than 50 countries. The race makes its debut in the Middle East and will arrive in Abu Dhabi over the New Year. The UAE capital has previously announced plans to host a 'Destination Village' which will be around the size of eight football pitches and will open free-of-charge to the public daily from December 30 to January 14, during which more than 100,000 visitors are expected. The list of broadcasters in host ports also include Television New Zealand (TVNZ), SuperSport (South Africa), TG4 (Ireland), Fox Sports Net (United States), and three broadcast partners in Brazil: Bandsports, ESPN do Brasil and GloboSat. Teledeporte (TDP), owned by Spanish national broadcaster TVE, will provide extensive coverage throughout the race including live national coverage of the race start and opening In-Port Race in Alicante, Spain.Among the current list of broadcasters, roughly 75 percent of them have agreed to take the live production of the In-Port Races and Leg Starts in the upcoming race, boosting the amount of Volvo Ocean Race programming from previous races. Adam Binns, director of television, said: “We’re pleased to see the high level of television interest in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 and announce our first series of broadcaster deals. “The Volvo Ocean Race makes for compelling viewing with its drama and personalities, people living life at the extreme for nine months, an experience that few sports can match.” In 2011-12, the Volvo Ocean Race programming will feature nine, one-hour documentaries from each of the off-shore legs along with 13 half-hour shows that will package the highlights of the leg starts and In-Port Races.The content list also features a preview show, mid-race update and holiday special. In addition to world feed programming, many broadcasters are also adding substantial domestic coverage within their territories.The opening In-Port Race in Alicante, Spain kicks off on Saturday, October 29 and ends in Galway, Ireland next summer. From / Arabian Business News