ITV Sports Presentation

Yesterday at a presentation for advertisers ITV Sport revealed its plans for the new season, supported by new qualitative research.

ITV is to focus on four key sports; Football, Rugby, Boxing and Athletics. Matthew Lorenzo, ITV’s new network football presenter, said that sport will be their major weapon in fighting for viewers.

Despite the loss of the Premier League coverage to Sky Sports, ITV seems determined that this will not be a disadvantage. There was much emphasis on their success in the past, and innovative coverage.

Football coverage will be of the European Cup, the European Cup Winner’s Cup,the Coca-Cola Cup, the Endsleigh League and the 1994 World Cup. The research showed that European football was a major attraction. ITV is to undertake a network promotional campaign for football this season.

Boxing coverage will be increased by a link with the promoter Don King. The popularity of rugby has increased; according to the research, ITV coverage has made rugby more accessible. Athletics is no longer seen as a BBC- only sport, with camera improvements by ITV helping to win viewers. ITV highlighted previous successes as proof of quality sports coverage to come, such as on-site presentation and multi-camera coverage. The research showed that viewers do notice and appreciate production innovations.

Kate Hampton Business Development Director

ITV Network Centre 071 843 8204