A Premier Package for Bowls Enthusiasts

The World Bowls Tour’s International Open is being resurrected next month as part of a new and comprehensive TV bowls package also involving the English Indoor Bowling Association.

The last three days of the ranking event (Feb 6-8), being staged at the West Denton indoor club in Newcastle and sponsored by The Co-operative Funeralcare, will be shown live on Premier Sports, a subscription channel available through Sky TV.

The International Open, which disappeared from the bowls calendar four years ago when the BBC pulled the plug on its coverage, will be a direct replacement for the Welsh Grand Prix that has suffered a similar fate, this time at the hands of BBC Wales.

This new deal with Premier Sports aims to provide bowls followers with the most comprehensive television coverage ever in the history of the sport.

Since its inception in 2010, the broadcaster has focussed on identifying sports not covered in depth on UK television, but have a loyal and passionate following that appreciate extensive coverage.

Bowls will sit alongside the likes of football, rugby league, motor sport and ice hockey, where fans will be able to enjoy top quality action every week of the year.

Richard Sweeney, chief executive officer of Premier Sports, commented: “We look forward to delivering the best indoor bowls from around the UK all year long. We have been very impressed with the loyal following bowls has in the UK and the commitment and passion of its players and administrators.

“Now they have the opportunity to really get behind the weekly TV coverage that will become more extensive if the support is there.”

This year there will be more than 260 hours of indoor bowls on Premier Sports for bowls fans to enjoy that will be produced by Horizon Solutions, which has a strong track record in producing bowls events.

Premier Sports’ ground-breaking coverage will begin with the International Open followed by the Co-operative Funeralcare Masters series finals, the EIBA under 25 and national singles, and the new Premier Threes event.

EIBA chief executive Peter Thompson commented: “We are delighted to be part of this major initiative for the sport of indoor bowls. It provides weekly exposure for our top competitive bowlers and showcases the sport, including the new shorter and faster format of Premier Threes, to a far wider audience that ever before.

“This will introduce the sport to new audiences and encourage them to become part of the sport. The promotion of the sport is a key strategy for the EIBA on behalf of its clubs and with the same vision being shared by Premier Sports, Horizon and World Bowls Tour this partnership will only strengthen this objective.

“I would ask that members and clubs take up the offers available to subscribe so that we can continue to grow and develop bowls on television.”

Richard Maddieson, chief executive officer of the World Bowls Tour, added: “We are really pleased to be part of this exciting and bold initiative that gives the sport of bowls a weekly, all year round presence on television for the first time in history.

“With Premier Sports, Horizon and the EIBA, TV hours and regular programmes will truly develop and strengthen all aspects of the sport and as the WBT add to the professional circuit over the ensuing months, we believe the sport of bowls has never been better placed to face the future.”

A special website – www.lovebowls.com – has been commissioned to provide fans with all the information on the Premier Sports coverage, including dates, schedules, venues, times and, of course, details of how to subscribe to Premier Sports.

Special launch offers, including money back to clubs for every subscription to develop young players will be published on the site in the coming weeks.

To subscribe to Premier Sports, visit www.premiersports.tv or call 0871 663 9000.