Sky Sports has announced plans to increase its commitment to women’s sport in 2020 by expanding its existing coverage and strengthening its digital output.
Live women’s sport will be showcased to a wider audience group via extended broadcasts on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel with events such as the Women’s Six Nations, WNBA, Vitality Netball Superleague and women’s cricket among those to be made available.
There will also be a greater investment in new, original, women’s sport digital content and programming.
Twenty-four years since first broadcasting women’s cricket back in June 1996, more than 1.8m people watched the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final.
Sky Sports was also the first broadcaster to show netball in 2004. Over the following 16 years, popularity has visibly increased as viewing figures saw 550,000 people tune in to watch as England’s Vitality Roses were beaten in a thrilling Netball World Cup semi-final last year.
“Sky Sports has been a long-standing partner and champion of women’s sport and this is a natural next step to ensure that brand new audiences are able to connect with the drama and excitement created by the players and teams,” said Rob Webster, managing director of Sky Sports.
“Sky Sports News will continue to be at the heart of this pledge and will ensure consistent 24-hour editorial coverage of women’s sport across both linear and digital platforms.
“The evolution will mean no longer grouping women’s sport collectively in a standalone programme each week, but instead ensuring it is represented across our output in our rolling 24-hour coverage.”
“We appreciate the responsibility we have, we know the platforms we own help sports grow and prosper, this is an important step in the right direction for our all-round coverage of women’s sport.”
“Sky Sports are investing in a 360 approach to covering women’s sport,” said Georgina Faulkner, Director of Multi-Sports at Sky Sports.
“The live streaming will bring fans closer to the action, the 24/7 rolling Sky Sports News coverage will keep fans constantly updated and our world-class digital production and storytelling will peel back the layers of women’s sport like never before.”
Image Credit: Sky Sports
