UPCtv (The programming arm of United Pan-European Communications) and Extreme Group (formerly Extreme), joint venture partners in the Extreme Sports Channel (currently broadcasting in 11 territories in Europe) have formed a partnership with OSM (Online Sports Marketing) to run the first ever World Extreme Games (WEG). WEG 2000 will be staged as the alternative Olympics in Melbourne, Australia from December 1-3 following on from the Sydney Olympics in September.
Building on the huge success of OSM's "Xtreme Games" (now in its fourth year) the World Extreme Games will be a truly global event, providing the best event programming for the Extreme Sports Channel and broadcasters worldwide, and a new focus for athletes.
The event will include the best extreme sports stars in the world competing for serious prize money and will create true worldwide representation and the spirit of global participation. The best extreme athletes competing with new comers from developing nations capturing a similar global spirit of good will as the Olympics will achieve in Sydney.
Medal competitions will include: Street Luge - mass and super mass Skateboarding - Vert, Street, Longboard Downhill and the Big Air Pit InLine Skating - Vert, Street and the Big Air Pit BMX Stunt - Vert, Street, Flatland, The Pit and Big Air Dirt Jump Wakeboarding ? Freestyle and Big Air Freestyle Moto X Moto X Trials Demonstration Sports will include: Mountain Bike Trials Jet Ski Moto X Aerobatic Hangliding Kite Surfing Sky Surfing Dirt Boarding The event will be staged as a comprehensive youth festival - with a host of entertainment and cultural activities including: Top rock bands Dance Party Extreme Street Performers Extreme Makeover Zone ? haircuts, tattoo's and body piercing Breakdancing Competition Spray Painting Competition Music Mixing Competition Sponsors Expo Retail Zone
OSM will produce 20 half-hour programmes plus a 1-hour special. The programmes will be versioned for The Extreme Sports Channel and local television markets, and distributed by Extreme International.
Alistair Gosling, Managing Director of Extreme Group, said:- "We are very excited by the prospect of the first truly global Extreme Games. Never before have athletes from all over the world come together to for this kind of event; a celebration of global participation, intense competition and youth culture. We hope that this is the first of what is soon to become the alternative Olympics."
Russell Barash, Director of Business Development, UPCtv , said:- "It is our view that the extreme sports genre effortlessly crosses international boundaries and speaks the language of the youth market on all continents. The development of a dynamic and high-profile concept such as the World Extreme Games, together with our planned roll out of the Extreme Sports Channel around the world, clearly demonstrates UPC's commitment and enthusiasm for this genre."
Company Profiles
Extreme Group Profile: Extreme Group was formed in 1995 as Extreme International, initially focusing upon programme distribution within the Extreme and Alternative sports arenas. Today, Extreme Group is a fast growing media company with three divisions:
Extreme Sports Channel Extreme.Com - the narrowband and broadband Channel website, Extreme International - the television and internet content distribution company. UPCtv Profile: UPCtv, based in Amsterdam, is the channel creation, marketing and distribution arm of United Pan-Europe Communications (UPC). The overall concept is to create a bouquet of quality special interest channels, to be offered to UPC and non-UPC cable operators throughout Europe. UPCtv is developing cable-friendly channels to enable networks in Europe to offer their subscribers more choice through high quality channels at reasonable prices. In 1999 UPCtv launched six channels, which are distributed in a number of European countries, Extreme Sports Channel (a joint venture with Extreme International), Film1, Club, Sport1, Avante and Reality TV (a joint venture with Zone Vision). More channels will follow in 2000, including Expo 24 x 7 and Innergy.
OSM Profile: OSM are a Sydney based media and brand marketing company specializing in youth and new age sports and entertainment properties. Business units include: Television Production Event Production and Management Athlete and Competition Management Sponsorship Sales and Client Management Marketing Communications - Advertising, Promotions, PR, Publicity Brand Licensing and Marketing Properties include: Summer Xtreme Games, Winter Xtreme Games, Xtreme Xposed, Planet X TV, X Magazine, PlanetX.net, X Brand Products, Formula 1 Triathlon, Tri Tour, One Summer Sports Festivals.
For further information, images and interview opportunities contact:
Email: enquiries@extremesportscompany.com Telephone: + 44 (0) 207 244 1000 Website: www.extremesportscompany.com