Universal Sports Network Secures Deal to Air World Surf League Big Wave Tour

Universal Sports Network and the World Surf League (WSL) announced a distribution agreement to air the 2015-16 WSL Big Wave Tour, bringing the world's biggest surfing events direct to fans in the United States. The deal gives the year-round home to Olympic, endurance, and action sports programming; exclusive TV Everywhere broadcast rights; and event re-broadcast rights during the upcoming WSL Big Wave season, which opened October 15.

Comprised of seven potential event sites across three continents, the WSL's Big Wave Tour tests the physical and mental skills of 24 of the best big wave surfers. Competition dates are scheduled for windows when the weather and surf are expected to combine to produce giant waves, 25 feet tall and higher, and events are given a Green Alert with only 72-hours' notice, adding to the anticipation for both the athletes and fans.

Through the partnership, Universal Sports will air the following four Big Wave Tour events either live or on delay during the October 15, 2015 - February 28, 2016 competition window:

Oregon Challenge (Lincoln City, Oregon)

Punta Galea Challenge (Punta Galea, Spain)

Pe'ahi Challenge (Haiku, Hawaii)

Todos Santos Challenge (Todos Santo, Mexico)

In addition, Universal Sports will air encore presentations of other WSL Big Wave events including the 2014 Billabong Pico Alto (Pico Alto, Peru) and 2015 Quiksilver Ceremonial (Punta de Lobos, Chile) in preparation for the upcoming season later this month.

The World Surf League's Big Wave Tour features the best big wave surfers in the world, says Universal Sports Network SVP of Digital Media and Strategic Partnerships Edward Derse. We look forward to showing these courageous and skilled athletes as they compete on some of the ocean's most awesome backdrops and iconic waves for our audience to experience.

We are honored to partner with Universal Sports Network to bring the exhilaration of Big Wave surfing to millions in America, says Peter Mel, former Big Wave World Champion and Commissioner of the WSL's Big Wave Tour. The BWT is extremely excited that this deal gives us the opportunity conditions permitting to broadcast four heart-pounding Big Wave events to millions of fans, especially the Pe'ahi Challenge in Hawaii.

Pe'ahi commonly known as Jaws is widely regarded as the most challenging big wave in the world.

LINK:	http://sportsvideo.org/main/blog/2015/10/16/universal-sports-network-s...
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