World Championship Sports Network to Provide Exclusive Coverage of the IIHF World Championships in the U.S.
LOS ANGELES & ENGLEWOOD, Colorado--World Championship Sports Network (WCSN), the premier destination for fans of Olympic and lifestyle sports, and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced today a three-year agreement (2007-2009) to provide exclusive coverage of the IIHF World Championships via WCSN's broadband and television outlets to fans in the United States. Additionally, WCSN is partnering with EchoStar Communications Corporation's DISH Network(TM) (Nasdaq:DISH) to deliver IIHF content into millions of homes via Pay-Per-View for this year's world championship to DISH Network subscribers.
Through WCSN's multiplatform offerings online at www.wcsn.com and on its 24/7 television channel, WCSN will deliver dedicated coverage of the IIHF World Championships for the next three years. The agreement was brokered by the Swiss-based sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, IIHF's exclusive commercial partner for the marketing of the annual IIHF World Championships.
WCSN will kick off its partnership with coverage of the 2007 IIHF World Championship from Mytischi and Moscow, Russia. From April 27 through May 13, 16 national teams - which include the United States, Canada, Russia, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, and Sweden to name a few - will compete in the largest tournament of the year. Fans of Team USA will be able to follow every slapshot, check, and miraculous save as WCSN will cover every Team USA match as well as the quarter, semi, and final rounds of the world championship.
WCSN's partnership with DISH Network offers Pay-Per-View for this year's world championship tournament exclusively to DISH Network subscribers. Ice hockey fans can buy the all-inclusive package for only $39.95, letting subscribers follow the teams on their television sets. Subscribers to this package will also be able to view the matches via broadband at no additional charge (certain restrictions apply). DISH Network's offering launches April 27 with Team USA facing off against Team Austria. To order call 1-877-DISH PPV (347-4778) or visit www.dishnetwork.com/hockey. Commercial establishments should call 1-800-454-0843.
"This partnership with IIHF marks a significant step in WCSN's continued efforts to further provide quality content for our broadening audience. We're excited the IIHF and Infront have turned to WCSN to deliver major coverage over the next few years," said WCSN Chairman and CEO Claude Ruibal. "WCSN's exclusive coverage and online reach plus DISH Network's 13.1 million subscribers provide a great opportunity for U.S. ice hockey fans to follow some of the best players from around the world online and on television during the largest ice hockey tournament of the year."
"We continue to look for new ways to bring DISH Network subscribers the best variety of programming, and are pleased we are able to offer the most complete television coverage of the IIHF World Championship," said DISH Network Vice President of Programming Andy Karofsky.
"The IIHF is pleased to have the 2007-2009 IIHF World Championships broadcasted on TV and online in the USA. We consider this a great opportunity to expand the audience for our flagship event in one of the biggest ice hockey markets in the world," said IIHF President Ren Fasel.
"We're extremely pleased that fans in the U.S. will be able to watch the IIHF World Championship through WCSN's coverage," said USA Hockey spokesman Dave Fischer. "Be it through the DISH Network package or via the Internet, anyone interested will have access every game of the championship, including ours, and that's certainly positive for the millions of hockey fans in the United States."
In addition to this year's world championship, other upcoming events will include the 2008 IIHF World Championship from Canada and the 2009 IIHF World Championship from Switzerland. With this agreement, WCSN expands upon its comprehensive coverage of over 60 different sports disciplines, with live and on-demand coverage across multiple distribution platforms for U.S. fans to enjoy.
Now fans of ice hockey have a variety of choices to access WCSN content anytime and anywhere. Ice hockey enthusiasts can follow their favorite athletes and teams online through complete, live, and on-demand video footage via a $4.95 monthly subscription plus free access to results, behind-the-scenes features, and more. Broadcast schedules can be found at WCSN.com and fans can also contact their local cable operator to get more details on the WCSN television channel.
About EchoStar Communications
EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) has been a leader for more than 26 years in satellite TV equipment sales and support worldwide. The Company's DISH Network(TM) is the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in the country since 2000 and currently serves more than 13.1 million satellite TV customers. DISH Network offers a premier line of industry-leading Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and hundreds of video and audio channels as well as the most national HD and International channels in the U.S., Interactive TV, Latino, and sports programming. DISH Network also provides a variety of package and price options, including the lowest all-digital price in America and the DishDVR Advantage Package. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit www.echostar.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.
About USA Hockey
USA Hockey, with nearly 600,000 members across the country, is the National Governing Body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States.
About International Ice Hockey Federation
Founded in 1908, the "International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)" is a federation of member national hockey associations governing the sport of ice hockey and in-line hockey for both men and women.
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media AG is an international sports marketing company with an exceptional track record on major events. It is a dynamic private company with 350 employees. Infront has its headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, and offices in ten countries: Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, Finland, Norway, Sweden, France (HBS), Singapore, and China.
The group holds valuable rights in winter sports, including long-term partnerships with the IIHF in international ice hockey, with FIBT for bob sleigh and skeleton, FIL for luge, IBU for biathlon, and an extensive skiing portfolio. Infront has partnerships with five out of the seven international Olympic winter sports federations and holds the broadcast rights and majority of the marketing rights for the FIS Alpine and Nordic Ski World Cup. Infront is also a renowned player in various summer sports, in particular in football.
About World Championship Sports Network (WCSN)
World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) is the premier destination for fans of Olympic and lifestyle sports, delivering an immersive experience via exclusive live and on-demand coverage of world-class competitions, interaction with top athletes, and in-depth access to sports news and information year round.
WCSN offers comprehensive coverage of over 60 sports disciplines, through exclusive long-term programming agreements across a number of key International Federations and National Governing Bodies. Major championship events in sports ranging from Track & Field, Skiing, Swimming, Gymnastics, and Cycling to Volleyball, Karate, and Taekwondo are featured online at www.wcsn.com and on television via WCSN's 24/7 cable sports network. WCSN also markets Olympic sports in partnership with International Federations, National Governing Bodies, local organizations, clubs, sponsors, and through related websites and publications.
WCSN has a strategic partnership agreement with Major League Baseball Advanced Media, LP (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet Company of Major League Baseball, for its website WCSN.com. WCSN's lead investor is Polaris Venture Partners, who invests in seed, early stage, and middle market companies in high growth industries. They have over $3 billion under management and currently invest in over 90 companies. For more information, please visit www.wcsn.com.
Contacts
WCSN contacts:
WCSN
T.K. Gore, 240-396-1907
tkgore@wcsn.com
or
mPRm Public Relations
Gil Lee, 323-933-3399
glee@mprm.com
or
EchoStar contact:
press@echostar.com
or
USA Hockey contact:
Dave Fischer, Director of Media & Public Relations
719-538-1171
davef@usahockey.org
or
IIHF contact:
Szymon Szemberg, Information & Media Relations Manager
+41 44 562 22 75
media@iihf.com
or
Infront Sports & Media contact:
Joerg Polzer, Manager, Communication & PR
0041-41-7231705
press@infrontsports.com
Through WCSN's multiplatform offerings online at www.wcsn.com and on its 24/7 television channel, WCSN will deliver dedicated coverage of the IIHF World Championships for the next three years. The agreement was brokered by the Swiss-based sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, IIHF's exclusive commercial partner for the marketing of the annual IIHF World Championships.
WCSN will kick off its partnership with coverage of the 2007 IIHF World Championship from Mytischi and Moscow, Russia. From April 27 through May 13, 16 national teams - which include the United States, Canada, Russia, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, and Sweden to name a few - will compete in the largest tournament of the year. Fans of Team USA will be able to follow every slapshot, check, and miraculous save as WCSN will cover every Team USA match as well as the quarter, semi, and final rounds of the world championship.
WCSN's partnership with DISH Network offers Pay-Per-View for this year's world championship tournament exclusively to DISH Network subscribers. Ice hockey fans can buy the all-inclusive package for only $39.95, letting subscribers follow the teams on their television sets. Subscribers to this package will also be able to view the matches via broadband at no additional charge (certain restrictions apply). DISH Network's offering launches April 27 with Team USA facing off against Team Austria. To order call 1-877-DISH PPV (347-4778) or visit www.dishnetwork.com/hockey. Commercial establishments should call 1-800-454-0843.
"This partnership with IIHF marks a significant step in WCSN's continued efforts to further provide quality content for our broadening audience. We're excited the IIHF and Infront have turned to WCSN to deliver major coverage over the next few years," said WCSN Chairman and CEO Claude Ruibal. "WCSN's exclusive coverage and online reach plus DISH Network's 13.1 million subscribers provide a great opportunity for U.S. ice hockey fans to follow some of the best players from around the world online and on television during the largest ice hockey tournament of the year."
"We continue to look for new ways to bring DISH Network subscribers the best variety of programming, and are pleased we are able to offer the most complete television coverage of the IIHF World Championship," said DISH Network Vice President of Programming Andy Karofsky.
"The IIHF is pleased to have the 2007-2009 IIHF World Championships broadcasted on TV and online in the USA. We consider this a great opportunity to expand the audience for our flagship event in one of the biggest ice hockey markets in the world," said IIHF President Ren Fasel.
"We're extremely pleased that fans in the U.S. will be able to watch the IIHF World Championship through WCSN's coverage," said USA Hockey spokesman Dave Fischer. "Be it through the DISH Network package or via the Internet, anyone interested will have access every game of the championship, including ours, and that's certainly positive for the millions of hockey fans in the United States."
In addition to this year's world championship, other upcoming events will include the 2008 IIHF World Championship from Canada and the 2009 IIHF World Championship from Switzerland. With this agreement, WCSN expands upon its comprehensive coverage of over 60 different sports disciplines, with live and on-demand coverage across multiple distribution platforms for U.S. fans to enjoy.
Now fans of ice hockey have a variety of choices to access WCSN content anytime and anywhere. Ice hockey enthusiasts can follow their favorite athletes and teams online through complete, live, and on-demand video footage via a $4.95 monthly subscription plus free access to results, behind-the-scenes features, and more. Broadcast schedules can be found at WCSN.com and fans can also contact their local cable operator to get more details on the WCSN television channel.
About EchoStar Communications
EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) has been a leader for more than 26 years in satellite TV equipment sales and support worldwide. The Company's DISH Network(TM) is the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in the country since 2000 and currently serves more than 13.1 million satellite TV customers. DISH Network offers a premier line of industry-leading Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and hundreds of video and audio channels as well as the most national HD and International channels in the U.S., Interactive TV, Latino, and sports programming. DISH Network also provides a variety of package and price options, including the lowest all-digital price in America and the DishDVR Advantage Package. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit www.echostar.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.
About USA Hockey
USA Hockey, with nearly 600,000 members across the country, is the National Governing Body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States.
About International Ice Hockey Federation
Founded in 1908, the "International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)" is a federation of member national hockey associations governing the sport of ice hockey and in-line hockey for both men and women.
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media AG is an international sports marketing company with an exceptional track record on major events. It is a dynamic private company with 350 employees. Infront has its headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, and offices in ten countries: Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, Finland, Norway, Sweden, France (HBS), Singapore, and China.
The group holds valuable rights in winter sports, including long-term partnerships with the IIHF in international ice hockey, with FIBT for bob sleigh and skeleton, FIL for luge, IBU for biathlon, and an extensive skiing portfolio. Infront has partnerships with five out of the seven international Olympic winter sports federations and holds the broadcast rights and majority of the marketing rights for the FIS Alpine and Nordic Ski World Cup. Infront is also a renowned player in various summer sports, in particular in football.
About World Championship Sports Network (WCSN)
World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) is the premier destination for fans of Olympic and lifestyle sports, delivering an immersive experience via exclusive live and on-demand coverage of world-class competitions, interaction with top athletes, and in-depth access to sports news and information year round.
WCSN offers comprehensive coverage of over 60 sports disciplines, through exclusive long-term programming agreements across a number of key International Federations and National Governing Bodies. Major championship events in sports ranging from Track & Field, Skiing, Swimming, Gymnastics, and Cycling to Volleyball, Karate, and Taekwondo are featured online at www.wcsn.com and on television via WCSN's 24/7 cable sports network. WCSN also markets Olympic sports in partnership with International Federations, National Governing Bodies, local organizations, clubs, sponsors, and through related websites and publications.
WCSN has a strategic partnership agreement with Major League Baseball Advanced Media, LP (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet Company of Major League Baseball, for its website WCSN.com. WCSN's lead investor is Polaris Venture Partners, who invests in seed, early stage, and middle market companies in high growth industries. They have over $3 billion under management and currently invest in over 90 companies. For more information, please visit www.wcsn.com.
Contacts
WCSN contacts:
WCSN
T.K. Gore, 240-396-1907
tkgore@wcsn.com
or
mPRm Public Relations
Gil Lee, 323-933-3399
glee@mprm.com
or
EchoStar contact:
press@echostar.com
or
USA Hockey contact:
Dave Fischer, Director of Media & Public Relations
719-538-1171
davef@usahockey.org
or
IIHF contact:
Szymon Szemberg, Information & Media Relations Manager
+41 44 562 22 75
media@iihf.com
or
Infront Sports & Media contact:
Joerg Polzer, Manager, Communication & PR
0041-41-7231705
press@infrontsports.com
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