Lagardère Sports reappointed as host broadcaster of Scottish Open Badminton Grand Prix

Agency also renews its deal to distribute global media rights for the event

Lagardère Sports today announced it has been reappointed as the host broadcaster for the prestigious Scottish Open Badminton Grand Prix which takes place at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow. The agency has also renewed its contract for the worldwide media distribution, with both deals covering the 2017-2019 editions. By using their expertise in broadcasting and media production as well as their vast media global network Lagardère Sports will ensure the tournament reaches new and existing fans alike, across the world.

Held annually, the Scottish Open, part of the Badminton World Federation Grand Prix event series, sees five days of competition and provides fans with a chance to see world class badminton. The 2016 edition of the tournament which came to a thrilling end last month, saw Lagardère Sports provide live coverage in eight countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, France & Germany. Highlights of the event were also shown on Scottish Television & BT Sport in the United Kingdom.

The 2017 edition in November will see an expanded broadcast footprint with a new broadcast deal confirmed in China, with coverage on five provincial TV channels.

Peter Angell, Senior Vice President, Media Production, Lagardère Sports said: “The Scottish Open is an outstanding Grand Prix tournament that continues to go from strength to strength. With the popularity of badminton continually rising we’re delighted to use our wide-ranging expertise and resources within both host broadcasting and distribution to provide fans with all the exciting action, whilst giving the sport further visibility on an international scale.

“Our relationship with major badminton events as well as engagement in host broadcasting and media distribution, stretches back over 15 years, and we’re excited to bring the event to a Chinese audience for the first time, starting with next year’s tournament. We look forward to contributing to the success of the Scottish Open, for many years to come.”

BADMINTONscotland Chief Executive Anne Smillie, who will also be Tournament Director when the TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017 comes to Glasgow next August, said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Lagardère Sports.

“It is really exciting that Lagardère Sports have been able to expand the reach of the Scottish Open Grand Prix into the Chinese marketplace. That can only enhance the prestige of our great tournament, especially as we enter a very important chapter in the history of the sport in Scotland.

“We want to make the Grand Prix bigger and better and reaching a wider global audience will help us achieve that goal.”

The Scottish Open is part of a diverse portfolio of events that Lagardère Sports provide host broadcasting services and media rights distribution for.

The 2017 edition of the Scottish Open Grand Prix will run from November 22-26 at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena.