Global iPlayer Adds More Sporting Events

LONDON: On the heels of its first sports deal, announced earlier this week, the Global BBC iPlayer has added to its lineup the Virgin London Marathon and John Smith’s Grand National.

The pilot VOD service recently picked up the Xchanging Boat Race. It has now added two new sporting events, both will be made available to international subscribers within days of their original broadcast in the U.K.

The world’s largest steeplechase will take place at Aintree Racecourse on April 14. John Smith’s Grand National will see 40 horses run for more than four and a half miles and jump 30 fences. A package of highlights from the race will be available on the Global BBC iPlayer in Australia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, France, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg.

London will host marathon runners from around the globe on April 22. Coverage from the Marathon will be available on the Global BBC iPlayer in Australia, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg.

Matthew Littleford, the general manager for Global BBC iPlayer, said: “Our subscribers wanted iconic British sport, and here they have it. The Grand National and London Marathon are packed with action, heritage and some of the sporting year’s biggest talking points, and I’m glad that we can bring them to our users around the world.”

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) manages the broadcast rights for Aintree and 32 other racecourses in the U.K. Simon Brydon, RMG’s director of business development, said, “The John Smith’s Grand National is without doubt the most famous horserace in the world, and we’re delighted the race’s breathtaking action will have another shop window via the Global BBC iPlayer.”

David Bedford, joint race director of the Virgin London Marathon, added, “I’m happy that the Virgin London Marathon can be given an even bigger international audience through the Global BBC iPlayer. The Marathon attracts a diverse range of runners, from elite athletes to social runners and celebrities, and this in turn appeals to many, many spectators around the world.”