3 June 2017

In a joint press release FISA and the NBC Sports Group writes:

NBC Sports Group and the World Rowing Federation, FISA, have partnered in an exclusive U.S. media rights agreement for the 2017 World Rowing Championships, both parties announced last Thursday, 1 June. NBC Sports Group will present more than ten hours of coverage of the 2017 World Rowing Championships, from Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, beginning Thursday, 28 September.

The World Rowing Championship Regatta, held at the end of the season, is the biggest and most important annual World Rowing event of the year.

‘The opportunity to stage our premier event, the World Rowing Championships, in the United States is a huge benefit for our sport as we see the ongoing growth of rowing in the nation,’ said Jean-Christophe Rolland, president of FISA. ‘This partnership with NBC Sports Group recognises the demand for rowing coverage in the U.S. and World Rowing completely supports the initiative.’

‘Rowing fans can cheer in unison now that we are presenting one of the sports’ premier events, and our most extensive coverage since the 2016 Rio Olympics,’ said Jim Bell, president of NBC Olympics Production and Programming. ‘As an Olympic sport since the 1900 Summer Games in Paris [HTBS editor note: Actually since 1896], we are always thrilled to showcase the stamina, strength and harmony that these world class athletes display every time they race.’

Headlining the U.S. team will be the women’s eight, which is looking to win its twelfth-straight world or Olympic title. The Americans’ flagship boat has won every major event since 2006, most recently claiming Olympic gold last summer in Rio. The U.S. roster will be confirmed later this summer. In addition, coverage includes the para-rowing finals on Thursday.

NBC Sports anticipates utilizing NBCSN, The Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and possibly other platforms to provide more comprehensive U.S. coverage of the numerous events included in the agreement than ever before. In addition to television, coverage will include simultaneous streams on desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs.

All rowing events will be presented by the Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, part of a comprehensive content and distribution partnership formed in 2016 by the IOC, USOC, and NBCUniversal. The centerpiece of the partnership is a U.S. linear cable channel, which will launch this summer.

About Sarasota-Bradenton
The 2017 World Rowing Championships will be hosted by Sarasota-Bradenton in Florida between 24 September and 1 October at its newly developed Nathan Benderson Park. The park is purpose designed for water sports with the rowing regatta course built to be of an international standard. It is situated on the Gulf Coast with people attracted by the year-round warm weather and white sandy beaches. Get more information about the Championships here.