The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has extended its rights deal in the UK and Ireland with BT Sport, stating that the pay-television broadcaster’s coverage of the sport can act as an inspiration to other partners.
BT Sport’s new four-year deal will run from 2019 to 2022, during which it will show more than 600 hours of live and exclusive hockey content each year across all platforms.
BT Sport will be the host broadcaster for all Great Britain and England women’s and men’s home matches in the new Pro League, as well as serve 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 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 an end-of year event which will see the top teams from the Series Finals face the best teams from the Pro League in winner-takes-all, two-header, Olympic qualification events.
Before this, BT Sport’s latest innovations will be presented during the 2018 Women’s World Cup, which begins in London tomorrow (Saturday). Tournament matches will be broadcast in 4K Ultra-High Definition using High Dynamic Range and Dolby Atmos surround sound. The FIH said this will allow viewers to experience the best-ever picture and sound quality from a hockey event in the sport’s history.
FIH chief executive 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 engaging millions more followers across the planet, but also an inspiration to other broadcasters showcasing our sport.”