Discovery picks up rights for PTO’s Collins Cup

Discovery has picked up exclusive live and on-demand rights for the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO)’s inaugural Collins Cup. The triathlon will be screened on Eurosport in more than 60 markets.

The agreement also includes distribution of PTO’s Beyond Human documentary via Eurosport and discovery+

The Collins Cup is the PTO’s inaugural flagship event, and will take place on 28 August in Šamorín, near Bratislava, Slovakia. It will see teams of international, European and USA athletes pitted against one another.

The one-year deal will see Eurosport showing the race action, live and on-demand, in 20 languages. Core coverage, including shoulder programming, will span across Eurosport 1 and 2, and via the Eurosport App and discovery+

The entire Collins Cup broadcast of more than seven hours will air live on Eurosport 2 and simulcast live on the Eurosport App. Highlights will be aired on Eurosport 1 the following day.

Two days before the live racing takes place, viewers will be able to stream the Collins Cup draft show on the Eurosport App, live from Šamorín where team captains will pick athletes for each individual match up.

discovery+ will also offer streaming access to PTO’s Beyond Human documentary produced by Noah Media Group, which follows the journeys of three of the biggest names in the sport - Lionel Sanders (Team Internationals), Sebastien Kienle (Team Europe) and Heather Jackson (Team USA) in their quest to see who rules triathlon.

Scott Young, SVP content and production at Eurosport, said: “With the PTO’s commitment to, and investment in, the highest production standards and athlete storytelling, combined with Eurosport’s deep sports expertise, we will create a unique narrative and unlock the true power of the sport of triathlon for all to enjoy. Through discovery+, we are increasingly focussed on the crossover between sport and real-life entertainment and our partnership with the PTO will mean we can showcase some of the most compelling stories to the widest possible audience.”

Tim Godfrey, chief marketing officer at PTO, added: “The Collins Cup is poised to be the most exciting and innovative format for endurance sports and Discovery is perfectly suited to showcasing this across its network, engaging not only triathlon fans but general sports fans who crave the rivalries that will be put on display when the best athletes in the world enter the arena to do battle for the Collins Cup.”