London-based independent production house Input Media signed a contract to produce the BBC’s coverage of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The tournament will be held in France from June 7-July 7 and Input Media will produce live programming for broadcast on the BBC’s network TV channels, the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Input also produced the BBC's coverage of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and currently produces the network's FA Cup Goals Exchange (RAPID TV NEWS, 12/6).
BT Sport revealed it is willing to allow Scottish football to trial VAR during live TV games on its channel. The technology "proved a smash-hit" during the 2018 World Cup and now the broadcaster has "laid down the gauntlet" to both the Scottish Professional Football League and Scottish FA to bring video assistance to Scottish football. BT, which will lose its rights to show the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish League Cup at the end of next season, has "urged the governing bodies to help their officials out" (Scotland DAILY RECORD, 12/6).
Sky Sports "significantly strengthened a likely bid to snatch the Grand National and other major races from ITV" by announcing major billing for a new "high-budget dedicated channel." Alex Hammond, the Sky Sports News host, was unveiled as the channel's main presenter as bosses plan to give racing the "Premier League treatment," with high definition slow-motion footage and, "eventually, drone cameras." At The Races, a "satellite channel watched mainly by racing purists," will relaunch in January as Sky Sports Racing, which the broadcaster hopes will "significantly boost ratings and broaden the sport's appeal" (London TELEGRAPH, 12/5).
Eurosport will air the Scottish Open snooker event in ultra HD for the first time. The tournament will be held in Glasgow from Dec. 10-16 (Eurosport).
