World Surf League signs Fox Sports rights deal

The Fox Sports division of US network Fox has signed an exclusive rights deal with the World Surf League.

Under the agreement, Fox Sports becomes the exclusive US television broadcaster of the WSL 2019 Men’s and Women’s Championship Tour, along with the Big Wave Tour.

Fox Sports will this year showcase more than 500 hours of WSL programming, including live contests and highlights shows, across Fox, FS1, FS2 and the Fox Sports app.

Fox’s WSL programming begins with a one-hour preview show of the 2019 WSL on March 23. The show will highlight the current champions, rising contenders and rookies for the new season.

The 2019 Championship Tour season gets underway on April 3 in Australia with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and Boost Mobile Pro, which will be aired on FS2 and the Fox Sports app.

FS2 will broadcast all Championship Tour contests live or close to live throughout the year, while it will also present the US Open of Surfing, the premier men’s and women’s qualifying series that takes place in Huntington Beach, California from July 27 to August 4. FS1 will also show eight, one-hour highlights shows after select contests.