IMG, a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, has secured a new four-year deal for in-flight rights to the NFL, which includes live coverage on Sport 24, the world’s only 24/7 live sports channel exclusive to the inflight industry.
The new agreement through 2020 will see Sport 24 broadcast up to six games live per week from the regular season, leading to the playoffs and the Super Bowl.
IMG will also be distributing NFL programming to the inflight industry each week, including weekly magazine shows, NFL Extra and NFL GameDay during the regular season and the popular Road to Playoffs and Road to Super Bowl. Additionally, it will be distributing award-winning documentary programming, spotlighting Super Bowl championship teams and the old and new stars of the NFL.
Richard Wise, Senior Vice President, IMG Media said: “The NFL has already proved a very popular offering to our viewers on Sport 24. We are delighted to have secured coverage for another four years for the many fans of American football around the world, ensuring NFL remains a long-term premium event for our in-flight channels.”
Michael Markovich, Vice President of International Media & Business Development, NFL said: “IMG continues to be a great partner of the NFL across various markets and businesses, and we are thrilled to be extending the partnership with Sport 24, as it delivers a top class viewing experience for passengers on airlines that carry their channels. We look forward to building our presence on Sport 24 even further over the next four years.”
Sport 24 also shows live action from the Premier League, the Bundesliga, NHL, UEFA Champions League, NBA, MotoGP, The Ryder Cup, all four golf Majors and each of the tennis Grand Slams.
Launched in 2012, the channel is exclusively available on Panasonic’s market-leading live television system, eXTV, and is currently available across 13 airlines and nine cruise lines.
Panasonic’s eXTV television network uses the company’s eXConnect in-flight Ku-band communications service, including the same Ku antenna and on board components, to deliver high-quality, television programming to passengers during their flight. It provides live, uninterrupted content to aircraft flying all over the world.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, operating in more than 30 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of sports media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, a leading global entertainment agency.
