Soaring TV coverage promises bright anniversary season

Before the first steps into the new VELUX EHF Champions League season are made on Friday evening at Ljubljana castle it is worth taking a quick look back on the previous edition of the European top flight from the TV perspective. The 2016/17 season finished with a record number of TV partners, which provides a very promising outlook towards the 25th anniversary season.

A total of 36 TV partners followed the competition during the season and a total of 39 broadcast the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2017 matches to more than 80 territories.
 
The 2017/18 campaign follows the trend of past seasons and the process of adding new markets to the existing TV coverage has already begun.
 
The recently forged partnership with Sportradar will also bring new features to the competition and its TV coverage. EHF Marketing is already working to start implementing some features during the upcoming season, although the implementation will be done in different stages throughout the next seasons.

Experience players as close as never before

Also in terms of technology and data, EHFM is looking forward to include tracking elements to the VELUX EHF Champions League from next season on. The introduction of a chip inside our official match balls in selected matches will give the broadcasters the option to share new and interesting live data with fans and teams.
 
EHFM also continues its cooperation with TV partners and TV production providers to develop and deliver new perspectives for the those watching the games at home. Following the use of the referee cameras during the 2016/17 season and the past two editions of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, the use of the official table’s cameras within the VELUX EHF Champions League also offers the option to be enjoy near-direct contact with their athletes on the court and experience their reactions from a privileged perspective.

Virtual advertisment

Last but not least, EHFM is also contemplating the introduction of a virtual advertisement solution during the upcoming season. The new sponsorship deals reached lately and the positive approach of current partners to new technologies are a great basis to strive for new ways to grant more exposure to brands in their core markets.
 
Handball is a dynamic and challenging sport, and these characteristics reflect the approach taken by EHF Marketing in shaping future of the EHF Champions League competitions.