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WCSN and FINA Partner to Deliver Exclusive Aquatics Coverage in the United States on Multiple Platforms
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Championship Sports Network (WCSN), the premier destination for fans of Olympic and lifestyle sports, and the International Swimming Federation (FINA) announced today a four-year agreement (2007-2010) to provide global coverage of FINA events to U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands fans via WCSN’s broadband and television outlets. Through the company’s online site at www.wcsn.com, WCSN TV and its syndicated television series, WCSN will deliver dedicated coverage of all of FINA’s major events around the world.
WCSN will kick off its FINA partnership in March with live and expansive coverage from the 12th FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. Additionally, WCSN will provide features such as highlight segments and archives of past events, up-to-the-minute news updates, in-depth interviews with competitors, athlete blogs and photo galleries. This agreement expands upon WCSN’s comprehensive coverage of over 60 different sports disciplines, with live and on-demand coverage across multiple distribution platforms.
“The FINA partnership further underscores WCSN’s commitment to providing quality content for U.S. fans of aquatic sports,” said WCSN Chairman Claude Ruibal, one of the network’s founders. “We are thrilled that FINA recognizes WCSN as a premium distribution outlet and will be relying on us to deliver major coverage all season long. We are excited to be the first network in the U.S. to cover each FINA discipline from start to finish, providing fans the opportunity to follow their favorite competitors throughout the year online and on television.”
“The deal with WCSN marks a significant step in strengthening the awareness of aquatic sports in the United States,” said FINA President Mustapha Larfaoui. “The ability to showcase our sports through WCSN’s multiple platforms gives fans great access to the excitement of FINA events throughout the world, something they’ve never had before.”
In addition to this year’s FINA World Championships, other upcoming events will include:
13th FINA World Championships 2009 (in Rome, Italy)
9th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) 2008 (in Manchester, Great Britain)
10th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) 2010 (in Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
FINA Synchronized Swimming World Cup 2010
FINA Men’s and Women’s Water Polo World Cups 2010
Now fans of aquatic disciplines such as swimming, water polo, open water, diving, and synchronized swimming have a variety of viewing choices at their fingertips to access comprehensive coverage of these sports anytime and anywhere. Aquatic enthusiasts can follow their favorite athletes throughout the year online through complete, uninterrupted live and on-demand video footage via a $4.95 monthly subscription plus free access to results, behind-the-scenes features, and more. Top highlights from all events will be televised on WCSN TV and on World Championship Sports, WCSN’S syndicated show.
About World Championship Sports Network (WCSN)
World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) is the premier destination for fans of Olympic and lifestyle sports, delivering an immersive experience via exclusive live and on demand coverage of world class competitions, interaction with top athletes and in depth access to sports news and information year round.
WCSN offers comprehensive coverage of over 60 sports disciplines, through exclusive long term programming agreements across a number of key International Federations and National Governing Bodies. Major championship events in sports ranging from Athletics (Track & Field), Skiing, Swimming, Gymnastics and Cycling to Volleyball, Karate and Taekwondo are featured online at www.wcsn.com and on television via WCSN's 24/7 cable sports network as well as WCSN’s weekly syndicated television program, World Championship Sports, available in more than 45 million US households. WCSN also markets Olympic sports in partnership with International Federations, National Governing Bodies, local organizations, clubs, sponsors, and through related websites and publications.
WCSN has a strategic partnership agreement with Major League Baseball Advanced Media, LP (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet Company of Major League Baseball, for its website WCSN.com. WCSN’s lead investor is Polaris Venture Partners who invests in seed, early stage, and middle market companies in high growth industries. They have over $3 billion under management and currently invest in over 90 companies. For more information, please visit www.wcsn.com.
About the International Swimming Federation (FINA)
The “Fédération Internationale de Natation” (FINA) was founded in London (GBR) on July 19, 1908 and is the world governing body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Synchronized Swimming, Open Water Swimming, and Masters movement (in these five aquatic disciplines). In 2007, under the presidency of Mustapha Larfaoui, FINA comprises 194 National Member Federations in the five continents.
