SailGP lands on TNT Sports in UK & Ireland
SailGP has inked a new media rights partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, which will see TNT Sports become the league’s exclusive broadcaster in the UK and Ireland.
TNT replaces commercial network ITV as the series’ UK broadcast rights partner, after the commercial network provided free-to-air (FTA) coverage for SailGP’s fourth season.
Throughout the 2024/25 campaign, the pay-TV provider will air all 14 races live across its linear channels, as well as on the Discovery+ streaming platform.
This will include next year’s Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in July, which will be the sailing series’ first UK event since 2022.
Under the new agreement, TNT Sports will also aim to promote the Great Britain SailGP team, which is co-owned by sailing legend Sir Ben Ainslie.
The new deal comes after SailGP saw a 43% increase in viewership last season, reaching an audience of more than 200 million across 212 international territories.
SailGP’s fifth season commences this weekend, with the Dubai Sail Grand Prix set to take place on 23rd and 24th November.
Ahead of the upcoming campaign, the championship has revealed a landmark title partnership with luxury watch brand Rolex, which includes title sponsorship of the Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix.
“We are delighted to announce TNT Sports as our new broadcast partner in the UK and Ireland, with exclusive live coverage of SailGP events,” said Melissa Lawton, Chief Content Officer at SailGP.
“The UK has a passionate and engaged sailing fanbase and we will work closely with TNT Sports to grow awareness of the league and captivate a brand new audience of racing fans.”
“If you have never watched sailing, but you love fast paced, exciting, competitive, non-stop action, then I recommend you tune in this weekend,” added Scott Young, SVP of Content, Production and Business Operations at WBD Sports Europe.
“Viewers will not be disappointed, it is some of the most exciting racing you will ever see, on or off the water.”
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