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International Drone Racing for ESPN

International Drone Racing for ESPN

ESPN logo within a studio set

ESPN Media Distribution has agreed a worldwide multi-year deal with the International Drone Racing Association to broadcast events to viewers in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“Drone racing gives anyone the ability to fly like a superhero. Because everyone can experience the thrill of racing as if they were sitting in the drone cockpit, the sport is skyrocketing. To go from a first ever, US national drone race to partnering with ESPN for international distribution in eight months is truly a sign of great things ahead.” – Dr. Scot Refsland, Chairman of the IDRA

The new distribution deal will see ESPN distribute the US Nationals and World Championships across the EMEA region, with the first IDRA event to be held on Governors Island, New York City, August 5th to the 7th, offering jaw-dropping views of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

In drone racing, contestants fly small, multi-propeller aircraft, also known as drones, at high speeds around a racecourse to determine the winner. Pilots experience the exhilarating sensation of being in the aircraft by watching live video from a camera mounted on the front of the aircraft delivered to goggles over the competitors’ eyes. Spectators can also enjoy the ‘first person view’ sensation of racing in the drone by watching directly on their own goggles, online, on television, or live by attending racing events.

“Bringing this growing new sporting competition to our clients, partners and fans across the region is a natural fit for ESPN. Nobody has been more at the intersection of sports and technology over the past three and a half decades than ESPN. The IDRA delivers high-tech, fast-paced action to very passionate audiences and ESPN Media Distribution is thrilled to add drone racing to our extensive range of sport, helping bring the excitement to fans in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.” – Heather White, Director of Media Distribution, ESPN EMEA

ESPN will also live stream the drone racing events in the US on its live multi-screen sports network ESPN3. The 2016 U.S. National Drone Racing Championships and the 2016 World Drone Racing Championships in October will be streamed live on ESPN3 and, following each event, will be televised as a one hour special on one of ESPN’s U.S. networks.

ESPN

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