It’s the first streaming-only live sports coverage to be offered by ITV, although highlights will be shown on traditional channels.
Billed as “the world’s most exciting racing on water”, SailGP will now be seen by more viewers than ever across the UK with the announcement of a free-to-air broadcast deal with ITV.
Exclusive live coverage of nine event weekends will be shown on ITVX in the first standalone live sports commission for ITV’s streaming service which was launched in late 2022.
SailGP is launching its biggest season ever opening with the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix at Navy Pier, in Chicago, on 16th and 17th June, which will be streamed live on ITVX in the first of 18 live 90-minute race day shows on the streamer. National teams in the mixed gender championship will battle at 12 iconic venues around the world across 2023 and 2024. Taking on the world’s best will be the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, led by the two most decorated Olympic sailors of all time, driver Sir Ben Ainslie and strategist Hannah Mills.
Highlights will be shown on ITV4.
Later in the season, the France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez will be shown on ITV1, which coincides with the broadcasters’ coverage of the Rugby World Cup. A full highlights show of the Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco will also be seen on ITV1 instead of ITV4.
Some events on time delay
The SailGP Season 4 events in Sydney, Auckland and Canada will be shown on ITV4 on delay to ensure the best possible viewing times for UK-based fans. All other events can be enjoyed in full either live or on-demand on ITVX, ITV’s streaming service along with coverage of SailGP’s behind the scenes series ‘Racing on the Edge’.