Swimming fans have been all over the dial in the past few years following the sports’ elite competitors.
The next major swimming meeting is the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Melbourne. To cover the event as host global broadcaster, Swimming Australia has chosen Gravity Media.
The partnership will see Gravity Media create and deliver all-screens coverage of the 16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) across Australia and multiple international territories.
Swimming fans this year so far have been tempted by Nine with coverage of the 19th FINA World Championships from Budapest in June.
The Australian Swimming Championships were on Prime Video back in May and, of course, the swimming at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games was on Seven.
Next Melbourne gets to host the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) across 13-18 December 2022. More than 800 athletes from 180 countries will compete in the Championships.
Beyond providing all broadcast technologies and as “host” broadcast company, Gravity Media has also been appointed by Swimming Australia as the television production company for the Championships, creating, producing and delivering the complete television production of the Championships for the world.
The Championships will be broadcast to a global audience across multiple international broadcast and content delivery platforms including the Nine Network in Australia.
Nine director of sport, Brent Williams, said: “Nine has a rich history of broadcasting swimming and we are proud to be partnering with FINA on their upcoming events. We are equally excited to have Olympic gold medallists, world champions and Australian swimming superstars Ian Thorpe, Giaan Rooney and Ariarne Titmus forming our team of experts. Their insight and knowledge will be invaluable in bringing viewers closer to the action and enhancing our poolside coverage in Melbourne.”
Wide World of Sports commentator Mat Thompson will call the races live and sports broadcaster Tony Jones will host the network’s coverage from his hometown throughout the six-day event.
Nine’s Ian Thorpe, Ariarne Titmus and Giaan Rooney
In making the host broadcast announcement, Swimming Australia CEO Eugénie Buckley said: “Swimming Australia is very pleased to have Gravity Media as a partner for the 2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Melbourne next month.
“As hosts we want to maximise the opportunity to present our sport in an innovative way, which is why we are happy to have Gravity Media on board as they share our vision and are working hand in hand with us.
“Their extensive experience in delivering world class broadcast services will ensure a fantastic showcase, of both our culture and climate, to the millions of fans watching our sport across the globe.”
Saul Shtein, director of production and Content at Gravity Media, said: “We’re honoured to partner with Swimming Australia on creating, producing and delivering the broadcast of the Championships to the world.
“It is a significant undertaking for Gravity Media and we thank Swimming Australia for entrusting us with the complete television production for the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m).
“We look forward to producing a world-class coverage and delivering the full scope of Gravity Media’s internationally regarded and acknowledged capabilities across broadcast technology, technical and facilities provision, and importantly the complete television production, in capturing every moment.”
Gravity Media Australia
Gravity Media Australia also covers the Melbourne Cup and all major horse racing events in Australia, the Australian Open Tennis, the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Supercars Championship including the Bathurst 1000, the FIM World Supercross Championship, the Tour Down Under Cycling Event, a partnership with Cricket Australia for the coverage of multiple competitions, and the expanding and developing AFLW.
Through Gravity’s studios, production, and post-production centres, outside broadcast facilities and specialist camera technologies, Gravity Media Australia is also currently involved with major production companies, television networks and pay television and streaming platforms in Australia across projects including Australian Ninja Warrior, The Masked Singer, Australia’s Got Talent, and I’m A Celebrity.