ISAF and Sunset+Vine to build towards Rio 2016 Olympics with World Sailing launch
The International Sailing Federation [ISAF], the world governing body of sailing, has unveiled a new production initiative with Sunset+Vine|APP, the Oxford-based unit of the UK independent TV sports production and media company Sunset+Vine. The two organsiations have combined to create World Sailing, a monthly series designed to take the best of world sailing to a growing global audience for the sport. Matthew Sheahan, the former Racing and Technical Editor of Yachting World Magazine has been appointed as Series Editor.
World Sailing, a monthly 26-minute programme series, will run from January 2016 with an editorial focus on the build-up to the Olympics as well as coverage, personality features, background stories and news from the cutting edge of the sport. It will be available to broadcasters worldwide from January 2016.
The programme will be distributed by Sunset+Vine International which has already contracted 30 broadcasters to air the programme and is on course to convert another 20 broadcasters by early 2016; The Road to Rio has brought new interest to the series from Olympic rights holding broadcasters around the world.
The announcement follows confirmation earlier this year that Sunset+Vine|APP had been awarded a significant contract by the governing body to provide live host broadcast coverage and international news at the 2015 Sailing World Cup regattas in Hyères and Weymouth & Portland; and in 2016 the live output will include Miami, Hyères and Weymouth & Portland World Cup events.
Andrew Preece, Managing Director of Sunset+Vine|APP said: “The launch of World Sailing is a significant development for both ISAF and Sunset+Vine as we seek to provide an international platform for the world governing body on television and on digital channels and social media networks. As we move towards the Rio Olympics part of that commitment will be to providing a platform for Olympic classes coverage and personalities in the build up.”