Isle of Man and British International Darts to be broadcast live
Front Runner, the UK’s only free-to-air sports channel has today confirmed a broadcasting deal with the England Darts Organisation to broadcast live their next two darting events, the 32nd running of Pokerstars Isle of Man Festival of Darts 11th, 12th March, 2017 and the 38th Annual British Internationals Championships held at The Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford between 24th-26th March, 2017.
Tommy Thompson Chairman of the EDO, said: “We are delighted to have signed this deal with Front Runner and to get live television exposure for two of our Flagship events and more so on a dedicated free to air sports channel is really exciting for all us, and we know the players and supporters of BDO darts will be thrilled with this fabulous news.”
Ryan Scarratt, from Front Runner, said: “This is another exciting milestone for Front Runner; it’s a privilege to be responsible for televising the first live sports broadcast from the Isle of Man.
He added: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with the EDO to bring live darts from this year’s Pokerstars Isle of Man Festival of Darts and the Annual British International Championships. Again, we’re offering coverage to another under-publicised sport”.
Both darting events will be available in 19 million homes across the UK and Northern Ireland on Freeview, FreeSat, Talk Talk/BT and Sky.
The IOM Government are equally excited about the news as this will also be the first time a live sporting event has been broadcast from the Island live and that includes the annual and now world famous TT races which has only ever had television highlights air.
Mr Rob Callister, political member with responsibility for tourism on the IOM: “Having live TV from the Villa Marina Royal Hall means we can now share the exciting atmosphere of the final stages of the IOM International Darts Festival with darts fans far and wide which is great news for everyone.”
The IOM festival will be broadcast live on the famous Villa Marina, Douglas on afternoons of 11th and 12th March, and the British Internationals the same on 25th & 26th March.
Front Runner broadcasts on a number of platforms and is available on SKY ch468, Freesat ch250, Freeview ch91, and Talk Talk/BT ch91.
Image caption
2016 Isle of Man Champions. Tony O’Shea pictured with Lisa Ashton, who is the current Ladies World Champion.
About Front Runner
Front Runner is the first and only free to air sports channel in the UK, showcasing the best in action sports from across the globe. It offers action, lifestyle and documentaries from the worlds of ice hockey, professional fighting and now live sports. Along with adrenaline-fuelled action, it also airs poker shows, comedy and chat to 19 million homes across the UK and Northern Ireland on Freeview, Freesat, Talk Talk, BT and Sky. Updates are available through the Front Runner’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.
About England Darts Organisation
The England Darts Organisation, was formed 10 years ago, and in this relatively short period of time have grown into the Worlds’ second largest provider of International Ranking events, behind the PDC. Their National teams, representing Mens’, Ladies, Youth, have dominated the International scene, at all levels, during World Cups, Europe Cups, British Internationals, 6 Nations International Championships, throughout the last decade. The EDO has introduced many new trail blazing initiatives, including the transmission of all their events live on the internet platform. More information can be viewed through their website, Facebook page, Twitter feed and a members newsletter.
