The International Korfball Federation (IKF) has teamed up with OTT solutions specialist Eyecons to launch a single worldwide channel that will stream competitions to a global audience.
The IKF said the implementation of the agreement is subject to Eyecons reaching a similar partnership with the Royal Netherlands Korfball Federation (KNKV). The IKF has been working closely with the KNKV over the past year to jointly develop a single platform to distribute high-profile korfball matches.
Viewers will receive access to live streams and archived material from the IKF and the Netherlands Korfball League. Supportive material will be produced for elite competitions and to promote the sport’s key values of equality.
The service will include a separate portal for international matches and Korfball League fixtures. It is hoped the platform will further grow the sport’s audience not only in the Netherlands but also worldwide.
The IKF has also signalled its intention to open up the platform to major leagues from other countries. IKF president Jan Fransoo said the launch marks a “major step” towards connecting to the sport’s global fan base.
Fransoo, who was re-elected this morning as IKF president at the federation’s general meeting, added: “We are proud to be working with Eyecons to leverage the power of our volunteer expert production with their expertise in developing and marketing such a platform.”
The IKF has an official YouTube channel that already streams live coverage of its major events, including the World Championships, but the channel has only managed to attract 8,918 subscribers.
Meanwhile, the IKF today awarded the hosting rights to the 2023 and 2027 World Korfball Championships during its general meeting in Durban.
The 2023 event has been awarded to Taiwan while the Netherlands, the sport’s core market, will stage the 2027 event. The 2019 World Championships are currently taking place in South Africa.