News release
The Open Championship Golf highlights available on Sport on 3 supplied by TWI Interactive
London - July 13 2004
3, the UK's first video mobile network, continues to build on its position as the home of mobile sport with the launch of its Open Championship Golf service.
The Open Championship service, another first for 3, is part of Sport on 3 - 3's ground-breaking mobile sports service. This also includes the Sky Sports News mobile service, video highlights from the FA Premier League and UEFA Champion's League and a wide-ranging sports video news service.
The service offers fans four highlights packages a day, ensuring that those unable to make the trip to Royal Troon will be able to watch highlights of the action at the UK's premier golfing event from 15-18 July. As well as footage of the day's action, the service will contain tournament previews, video archive material and daily player interviews, as well as regular news updates. Customers can also receive MMS news direct to their 3 video mobiles. The video highlights are being provided by TWI's Interactive division in conjunction with The Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
Graeme Oxby, Marketing Director 3 UK, said: "The Open Championship service on 3 follows the first ever Wimbledon video mobile service of the world's most famous tennis competition. As Henman crashed out of the quarter-finals and the England football team lost in a dramatic clash with Portugal in Euro 2004, 3 saw record viewing figures on its video mobile service, proving the growing popularity of video mobile sport. 3's Open service will prove equally compelling viewing to golf fans poised to see the drama unfold at Royal Troon this year. 3 continues to lead the field by bringing highlights of the very best sporting action to your mobile."
Angus Farquhar, Commercial Secretary of the R&A. said "One of the Club's objectives has always been to bring the excitement of The Open Championship to as wide an audience of fans as possible, be it on TV, radio, the internet and now mobile. We are delighted that thanks to our association with 3, fans will now be able to watch The Open Championship highlights on their video mobiles. "
Todd McCormack, CEO of TWI's Interactive division said: "As one of the leaders in delivering new media services to the world of sport and entertainment, TWI Interactive are pleased to be working with the UK's leading 3G network to deliver yet another first-class sports entertainment service to 3's customers. The Open service complements the world-leading Wimbledon service launched in June and further cements the partnership between TWI Interactive and 3 UK, as both businesses work to deliver the very best there is in mobile sports entertainment."
In addition to 3's Open Championship content, 3 serves up video action for all major sports - football, rugby union, rugby league, cricket, tennis, golf, Formula One and horse racing. Sports fans wanting to keep up with the news on the move can also access Sky Sports video content on their video mobiles, courtesy of a recent deal with 3. The Sky Sports service offers 3 customers the latest Sports Bulletins, and top video news from the world of sport.
More information on the 3 service can found at www.three.co.uk.
For further information please contact:
3 Media Office
020-7010 9312
Brunswick - Ben Brewerton
020-7404 5959
TWI - Madeleine Pallas
020-8233 7425
Notes to Editors:
About the Royal and Ancient Golf Club
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews holds a unique position in the world game. Established in 1754 as a small private society it has evolved through two and a half centuries as a leading authority in the world game.
Today the club has four distinct areas of responsibility, the administration of the Rules of Golf, in conjunction with the United States Golf Association, the running of the Open Championship and other key events, the encouragement and development of the game in existing and emerging golfing nations, and the operation of a private club with almost 2400 members.
Profits from the Open Championship are used exclusively to fund a wide range of projects throughout the world, with great emphasis given to the coaching of junior golfers. In depth studies are also carried out into key areas such as the provision of more courses and practice facilities, greenkeeping methods and conservation.
The work of the R&A is carried out through a network of committees, which draw on expertise in every area of the game from within the club membership, and backed by a small professional Secretariat staff.
About 3
Hutchison 3G UK Limited deliver third-generation mobile multimedia and communications services under the 3 brand in the UK, offering a convergence of media, information and telephony to enable live video calls, multimedia content and entertainment while on the move.
3 services are available from sister companies in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy and Sweden. 3 also holds UMTS licences in Ireland, Israel and Norway.
For further information, please visit: www.three.co.uk
3 facts about 3
| * | 3 is a video mobile network - the first 'third generation' network to launch in the UK |
| * | 3 is the only network currently able to offer mobile technology's most unique application - person to person video calling |
| * | Using 3G technology, 3 has built a new network that offers customers a combination of access to cutting edge video mobile services and great value voice calls and texts |
About TWI
TWI is the television arm of sports marketing agency IMG. It is the largest independent distributor and producer of televised sports, managing a library of more than 150,000 hours and annually produces and distributes 6,500 hours of original programming to more than 200 countries covering 200+ sports. TWI Interactive, the Internet arm of IMG, is a worldwide leader in digital sports and entertainment.