US network NBC acquired live rights for sailing’s America’s Cup in 2013 in a deal with race organisers, the America’s Cup Event Authority.
Live coverage of the race will be shown on the free-to-air NBC network and on the NBC Sports Network, the broadcaster’s cable sports channel.
The 2013 America’s Cup will take place off the shores of San Francisco, the first time the US has hosted the race in 18 years. American team Oracle Racing is the defender of the cup.
NBC also acquired rights for the America’s Cup challenger series, the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2013, and three races from this year’s America’s Cup World Series.
The Louis Vuitton Cup will determine Oracle Racing’s opponents for the America’s Cup.
The America’s Cup Event Authority will not receive a rights fee from NBC but has received airtime which it will offer to its sponsors.