Thanks to Inmarsat's new maritime broadband service, FleetBroadband, this year's Volvo Ocean Race will be shot in high definition.
Viewers will be able to enjoy immersive HD footage of the global yacht race.
"The clarity of HDTV is about as close as you can get to the race action without being on a competing yacht. It's what the international broadcasters want, it's essential for raising the profile of the race and the sponsors globally, and it can only be sent by FleetBroadband," said Knut Frostad, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race. "By choosing FleetBroadband, we have made this the most connected Volvo Ocean Race in its history."
"It's a huge reassurance for the crews to know that with FleetBroadband they are never alone, and that their progress and their stories will reach the teams, sponsors, spectators, and most importantly for them, families," he continued.
Thirty-nine half-hourly weekly shows will be produced from the high definition footage, with race organisers estimating some 90GB worth of data will be sent from the boats to race HQ. That figure sounds rather low to me.
No news on whether the race will be broadcast in the UK, but I wouldn't be surprised if at least highlights come to one of Sky Sports' HD channels.
(Via Business Wire)
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