DARTS READY TO FLY AROUND THE WORLD
An agreement between internet broadcasters 110sport.tv and four leading darts organisations - the British Darts Organisation, the Welsh Darts Organisation, the World Darts Federation and the Anatolians Group in conjunction with the Turkish Darts Federation - is set to take darts to a world-wide audience during 2010.
Stirling-based 110sport – who already have an agreement in place with World Snooker to show live and exclusive content – have been working alongside GMJ Marketing in developing the concept, which will cover eight events during the year, starting with the BDO British Internationals from Bridlington on April 10th & 11th.
Next month’s ‘battle of the oche’ between the home countries of England, Scotland and Wales at The Spa, Bridlington, will be streamed live through 110sport.tv and through their betting and sponsorship partners platforms.
In the last year, in addition to broadcasting snooker qualifying events (which were subsequently shown on Eurosport) 110sport.tv have also broadcast Commonwealth championship boxing from Aberdeen, and last month televised the Ding v Hendry Snooker Challenge from Beijing.
“Darts has a massive potential audience across Europe and the rest of the world and we are delighted to have the BDO, WDO, WDF, TDF, AG in Turkey and GMJ Marketing as our partners in this venture,” said David MacKinnon, CEO of 110sport Group.
“Many of those participating in Bridlington will be instantly recognised through their exploits at the Lakeside World Championship and I am sure that darts fans out there will welcome the chance to view even more top-flight darts throughout the year.”
BDO Chairman, Dave Alderman added: “We are delighted with this collaboration with a major internet provider, and as well as the darts coverage 110sport.tv will be introducing internet advertising opportunities to provide additional funding to cover future production costs and the sponsorship of additional darts events.
“By combining the strengths of the BDO, WDO, WDF, AG, TDF and GMJ Marketing we see this as just the beginning of an exciting new era for darts and its players and are looking forward to working closely with 110sport.tv to raise the profile of our sport and provide valuable opportunities for our players.”
The 110sport TV calendar for 2010 is:
- APRIL 10TH & 11TH:
The BDO British Internationals, The Spa, Bridlington
- MAY 15TH & 16TH:
The WDO Welsh Open, Pontin’s, Prestatyn
- SEPTEMBER 4TH & 5TH:
The WDO Welsh Masters, Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park, Rhyl.
- SEPTEMBER 6TH & 7TH:
The WDO Welsh Classic, Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park, Rhyl.
- SEPTEMBER 17TH & 19TH:
The BDO British Open, The Spa, Bridlington.
- OCTOBER 13TH to 16TH:
The WDF Europe Cup, Grand Haber Hotel, Kemer, Antalya, Turkey.
- OCTOBER 17TH:
The WDF Invitation Matchplay, Grand Haber Hotel, Kemer, Antalya, Turkey.
- OCTOBER 18TH to 24TH:
The TDF Turkish Open, Grand Haber Hotel, Kemer, Antalya, Turkey.