The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has teamed up with the IMG agency to launch what it claims is the first OTT digital streaming platform in the history of the sport.
Volleyball TV will provide fans with live coverage and highlights from major events, starting with the inaugural Volleyball Nations League, which gets underway tomorrow (Tuesday).
IMG has played a major role in the launch of the VNL, which marks the first event for which the FIVB has controlled its own content production.
Volleyball TV will be available as a pay-per-view service in selected markets for the VNL and FIVB’s men’s and women’s World Championships in September. It will be provided via desktop, mobile and iOS and Android apps.
Volleyball TV will show live coverage of all 260 men’s and women’s matches in the VNL, along with 10-minute highlights from every game. Coverage details of the World Championships will be announced in due course.
The platform will also feature FIVB archive content, with future plans to include the addition of other FIVB competitions, national leagues and other major tournaments from around the world.
Ioris Francini, co-president of WME and IMG, said: “This is a very exciting new venture for IMG and the FIVB and it will play a pivotal role in the continued growth and popularity of volleyball around the world.
“There is a tremendous buzz around the Volleyball Nations League and the channel will ensure that fans of the sport in future will have access to the live action wherever they are in the world. Going forward, we want to create a service that delivers a year-round digital experience featuring coverage of all major tournaments and leagues as well as news and feature content. In time, we will introduce a range of packages so subscribers can choose what best suits them.”