Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) and Television New Zealand (TVN ) have collaborated to deliver live coverage of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games via the AsiaSat-5 satellite.
This collaboration is integral to TVNZ’s extensive plan of providing the largest-ever Free-to-Air (FTA) coverage of the Games in New Zealand and enabling broadcast rights-holders in the Asia-Pacific region to have full access to the event’s live coverage and daily highlight packages. The 2018 Common wealth Games, taking place from April 4 to 15 in Australia’s Gold Coast, will gather more than 6,600 athletes and team officials from 70 Commonwealth nations and territories.
Artistic rendition of the AsiaSat-5 satellite.
Commonwealth Games coverage by TVNZ, New Zealand’s leading FTA broadcaster, will be distributed through AsiaSat-5’s wide C-band beam to rights-holding broadcasters in Asia in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and TVNZ’s sub-licensees in the Pacific region. Event coverage will include the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies as well as 11 days of live and replayed television action showcasing athletes competing in 18 sports and seven para-sports across 18 sports venues.
As the exclusive broadcast rights holder for New Zealand, TVNZ will deliver live coverage, replays and highlights across TVNZ 1, TVNZ Duke, new pop-up channel Games Extra and fully streamed channel Games Online for sports fans.
Barrie Woolston, CCO of AsiaSat, said that the Commonwealth Games is a significant feature in the 2018 sporting calendar. The company is delighted to have the privilege of working with TVNZ and the ABU to bring this wonderful event to wider audiences in New Zealand, the Pacific and across Asia
John West, TVNZ EVP – Sports added that TVNZ’s coverage of the Commonwealth Games is the company's most ambitious event ever. AsiaSat was selected as part of our delivery solution due to the satellite's wide footprint in the region and proven record in the delivery of major events coverage.