APP Broadcast has announced the Seamaster Sailing series – a monthly grand prix programme featuring special reporters Ellen MacArthur and Dean Barker

Sailing on television is just about to hit the big time. At a special launch ceremony at the Schroders London Boat Show APP Broadcast announced the Seamaster Sailing Series, a monthly global programme featuring special reporters Ellen MacArthur and Dean Barker.

According to APP’s Richard Simmonds and Andrew Preece, over 530 million viewers in 178 countries will able to watch this grand prix series with the first screening scheduled for this weekend on Sky Sport which is a culmination of three year’s work. At the ceremony Preece (pictured left) said: “We’ve been talking about launching our own APP Broadcast sailing series for the last five years and the reason we haven’t until now is we never felt we had the right combination of special ingredients to make an impact. Now we do and it all comes down to people involved. We believe it’s a unique combination which we hope will be reflected on the TV programme. We hope Seamaster sailing will bring grand prix sailing to the screen in an authoritative way but also a compelling way.”

Ellen MacArthur, who’d flown in from Sydney to be at the launch, says she can’t wait for the first programme, adding, “A sailing series is something we’ve been missing on TV for a long time. I remember when I was 17 suffering from glandular fever and all I wanted to do was watch sailing but the only sailing was the Whitbread programme at 2am which I had to video and watch later. Things have moved on a very long way since then. The Seamaster Sailing programme is taking our sport to a new level in a way that many, many more people can watch. I’m very privileged to be involved, and excited to working with such great people. I’m also pleased to actually able to contribute and make a difference, and not just say, “I think there should be more sailing on TV’.”

To ensure this new TV series reaches mass audience APP have been working hard with promotion. It’s even possible to sign up for e-mail and text message reminders of programme airtimes and take out a monthly DVD subscription (including the full Seamaster Sailing programming plus bonus extra content).

In the first programme this weekend, Ellen MacArthur will take viewers on guided tour of her new 75ft multihull. Then Seamaster Sailing will be onboard for the boat’s maiden voyage in Sydney Harbour last week. The programme will also feature some of the key players lining up for a crack at the Jules Verne Challenge this year, plus an update on the grand prix racing circuit – miss it at your peril!

Seamaster Sailing programme 1

January

Sky Sports

2200GMT Saturday 17 January Sky Sports Xtra

2400GMT Saturday 17 January Sky Sports Xtra

0730 GMT Sunday 18 January Sky Sports 3

1430 GMT Sunday 18 January Sky Sports 3

1630 GMT Sunday 18 January Sky Sports Xtra

1830 GMT Sunday 18 January Sky Sports 3

CNBC

1400 GMT Saturday 24 January

For broadcast and transmission details, log on to seamastersailing.com.