The European Tour has partnered with Tata Communications, a leading global provider of network, cloud and mobility services, to build a best-in-class global technology platform that will help to underpin the digital transformation of golf and help attract new, younger fans to the sport.
As the Official Global Connectivity Supplier of the European Tour, Tata Communications will distribute the video feeds from 47 European Tour tournaments in 30 countries and across five continents to 40 broadcasters using its global superfast network and Media Ecosystem, reaching close to half a billion golf fans.
Tata Communications’ global network reach and capabilities will ensure a high quality viewing experience for fans regardless of whether they are watching the live action or tournament highlights on TV or a mobile device (OTT).
To give its core fan base new golf experiences and to attract new younger fans to the sport, the partnership will enable European Tour to test in action with Tata Communications technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, virtual and augmented reality (VR, AR) and live 360°video to create a more ‘connected’ tournament experience.
“Joining forces with Tata Communications will kick-start an exciting new digital era for the European Tour,” said Michael Cole, Chief Technology Officer of the European Tour. “Digital innovations like 360°video, IoT and AR all rely on global superfast connectivity. So, by creating a single, scalable, global technology platform underpinned by Tata Communications’ capabilities, we will be able to create more powerful, engaging and immersive golf experiences, grow our global audience, and open up new commercial opportunities for the sport.”
Brian Morris, Vice President and General Manager of Media and Entertainment Services at Tata Communications, said: “Imagine if fans onsite could use an AR app on their mobile device to get instant access to a wealth of statistics and video clips on each course and player. Or, if fans at home could complement the action on TV through a live 360°view on their tablet and capture key moments of each tournament from the angle of their choice.
“Having helped lay the foundations for the digital transformation of Formula 1® and MotoGP™, we look forward to working together with the European Tour to push the boundaries of innovation and help shape the future of golf.”
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EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
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THE EUROPEAN TOUR – CELEBRATING GOLF. WORLDWIDE.
About The European Tour
The European Tour celebrates men’s professional golf on a global stage. In 2017, the European Tour International Schedule features a minimum of 47 tournaments in 26 countries, including eight Rolex Series events, all part of the Race to Dubai.
Celebrating the global connectivity of the European Tour and Dubai, the Race to Dubai is a season-long competition to crown the European Tour’s Number One player, an honour which in 2016 went to Sweden’s Henrik Stenson for the second time, and which since 2009 has also been achieved three times by Rory McIlroy, as well as by Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Luke Donald. Formerly known as the Order of Merit, points are accumulated based on prize money won, with the top 10 ranked players at the end of the season sharing a $5million Race to Dubai bonus pool.
Since its formation in 1972, the European Tour has witnessed 26 Members celebrate a total of 52 Major Championship titles between them, enjoyed ten Members attaining the pinnacle of World Number One and has celebrated its diversity as players from 36 different countries have won on the Tour.
The European Tour also manages the Challenge Tour, which featured 28 tournaments in 22 countries in 2016, and the Senior Tour, which featured 13 tournaments in nine countries in 2016. It is also the Managing Partner of Ryder Cup Europe, the body which, alongside the PGA of America, administers golf’s greatest team contest, The Ryder Cup.
The European Tour broadcasts live coverage of its tournaments to more than 490 million homes in more than 150 countries every week, generating in excess of 2,200 global broadcast hours for each event. It also enjoys the support of many of the world’s leading business brands with Rolex, BMW, Emirates and Titleist as Official Partners.