World Rowing (Fisa), the sport’s global governing body, has decided against renewing a rights deal with US sports broadcaster Universal Sports Network, a subsidiary of the NBCUniversal media company.
Fisa said that it would stream live coverage of rowing events free of charge via its official website to viewers in the US, starting with World Rowing Cup regattas from March 22-24.
“This new media rights model is part of World Rowing’s strategic re-assessment and its work to build more support and coverage for rowing in the United States,” Fisa said.
The website will show live coverage and highlights of races and medal ceremonies as well as interviews with competitors.
“The widespread demand from our US audience to watch live coverage of all World Rowing events and to follow the US crews competing internationally led to our decision not to renew our contract with Universal Sports Network,” Fisa executive director Matt Smith said. “An extension of this contract would have continued the ‘pay to view’ live streaming model of Universal Sports Network, as well as their delayed broadcasts of our events. From now on, we will be directly connected with our huge rowing audience in the US and will provide a better service.”