Zug, Switzerland – Infront Sports & Media, the exclusive media and marketing partner of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, has signed a series of media rights agreements on a long-term basis with leading broadcasters in Canada, Denmark and Germany.
All games of the 2018 – 2023 tournaments will be broadcast in Canada by TSN and RDS, in Denmark by TV2 Danmark and in Germany by SPORT1. The rights covered by all agreements include full-length, highlights, live and delayed transmissions on a free and pay basis across most media platforms (including television, mobile and internet).
From 2018 onwards, TSN and RDS will continue to broadcast comprehensive live coverage of the tournament across the networks’ slate of linear television channels and digital platforms. TV2 Danmark will broadcast live all Danish games, the semi-finals and medal games on its television channel TV2Sport and all additional games either on TV2Sport or on its OTT platform TV2Play. SPORT1 has committed to broadcast live 30 games on its free television channel as well as all additional games on its pay television channel.
High demand for other Infront ice hockey properties
Reflecting the commitment of all broadcasters to ice hockey and the high demand amongst viewers, both TSN and TV2 Danmark have confirmed their continued engagement for the next Champions Hockey League (CHL) season, while both TV2 Danmark and SPORT1 are committed to the next two editions of the Spengler Cup in Switzerland.
TSN will broadcast at least the semi-finals and the final and TV2 Danmark will broadcast live all Danish games, at least two quarter-finals, the semi-finals and the final next season of the CHL. For the next two editions of the Spengler Cup, both TV2 Danmark and SPORT1 will at least cover the semi-finals and the final and the games of the teams from their territories (if applicable) on a live basis.
Extraordinary levels of exposure
Bruno Marty, Infront’s Executive Director Winter Sports, said: “The continuous strength of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is reflected through these long-term agreements with leading broadcasters in key winter sports markets. The commitment to both the CHL and Spengler Cup further demonstrates the overall strength of ice hockey and the growth of these tournaments. Hence, I am confident that the fans will benefit from even greater exposure of the sport in the future.”
In 2015, the cumulative TV audience for the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship surpassed the 1 billion mark for the first time. Reaching over 1.1 billion worldwide, it received more than 5,500 hours of coverage across the globe. The 2016 event is currently underway in the Russian cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, approaching the final weekend with 60 out of the 64 games already been played. TV coverage is expected to remain at least consistent for 2016 – as the flagship winter sports event goes from strength to strength.
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media is the most respected sports marketing company in the world, managing a comprehensive portfolio of top properties. Led by President & CEO Philippe Blatter, Infront covers all aspects of successful sporting events – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production and event operation – and has won a reputation for its high standards of delivery. As the number one player in winter sport and with a leading role in football, summer and endurance sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 170 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of more than 900 experienced staff working from over 35 offices across more than 15 countries, delivering 4,100 event days of top class sport around the world every year. In November 2015, Infront was integrated into Wanda Sports Holding, part of the Chinese conglomerate the Dalian Wanda Group.
