KVH Brings 2014 FIFA World Cup to World’s Seafarers

KVH Industries, Inc., has come to an agreement with IMG Media to distribute video content of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ to merchant ships.

KVH will deliver coverage of the month-long tournament, which takes place in Brazil this summer, via KVH’s satellite network to merchant maritime customers, with the exception of passenger vessels, cruise ships, and ferries.

“Knowing how many football fans there are among the world’s seafarers, we are thrilled to be able to provide coverage of the world’s greatest sporting event,” says Mark Woodhead, managing director of KVH Media Group. “Life onboard a ship often isolates seafarers from their friends and family and their lives onshore. Imagine being in the middle of the ocean and being able to watch your country play in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™. This is the biggest sports occasion of the year and the first time seafarers have had access to this kind of programming.”

This year’s tournament takes place in 12 stadiums across Brazil between June 12 and July 13. During the tournament, 32 teams will play in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Finals rounds to advance to the championship match.

Among the 32 teams will be Spain (the 2010 champion), Brazil, Italy, Germany, Argentina, Portugal, United States, and England. It is estimated that 3.2 billion people, or about 46% of the world’s population, watched at least part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ coverage, making it the “biggest TV sports event in the world,” according to FIFA.

KVH’s coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ will include highlights of each of the Finals rounds matches and full coverage of the championship match, distributed via KVH’s satellite network.

[mappress]
kvh, April 10, 2014