Jan 23, 2020
The United States Polo Association® is pleased to announce their partnership with leading livestream provider ChukkerTV extending through 2022. Utilizing ChukkerTV’s cutting-edge technology since 2017, the USPA Polo Network delivers the best livestreamed coverage and instant replay technology for fans and USPA rules officials. New this year, the USPA will elevate the distribution to a channel platform viewable online at globalpolo.com.
Projected to livestream between 130-150 games in 2020, the USPA Polo Network will once again showcase all GAUNTLET OF POLO™ games at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (Wellington, Florida) on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field and over 20 USPA tournaments throughout the year ranging from high-goal, medium-goal, arena, intercollegiate, National Youth Tournament Series and more.
“The USPA is excited to continue partnering with ChukkerTV and their organization to improve the livestreaming production of USPA tournaments across the country,” said Robert Puetz, CEO of the United States Polo Association. “Through Global Polo TV, we will better understand our viewer and be able to develop meaningful content on multiple platforms. I would like to personally thank ChukkerTV founders, Melissa and Marc Ganzi, Co-Founder and President, Mike Ferreira, and the entire ChukkerTV team for their ongoing commitment and passion to this endeavor. We look forward to elevating the livestream experience for USPA members and polo fans for years to come.”
ChukkerTV was the first to introduce state-of-the-art livestreaming for polo in January 2014 at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. The provider was well received for its expertise and ability to promote the sport to a wider audience. ChukkerTV played a significant role in implementing instant replay for polo and was the first to bring live and on-demand polo to spectators and fans around the world helping to expand the sport's exposure.
“With thousands of games broadcasted, millions of hours of polo consumed by a global audience, and of course a partnership with the USPA, what started out as a vision by Melissa Ganzi for the future of the sport has grown into something much larger,” Mike Ferreira proclaimed. “Since partnering with the USPA we’ve been able to expand on that vision, together as partners we’ve grown worldwide audience participation, sport awareness and started bridging the gap between polo and other mainstream sports. I couldn’t be happier to continue growing this partnership and I really hope our viewers enjoy what we have in store for them.”
In collaboration with USPA Global Licensing and newly-formed subsidiary Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), the United States Polo Association launched Global Polo TV in January 2020. A new digital platform available over the internet on the OTT (Over The Top) platform, Global Polo TV features daily livestreamed games, a weekly polo news show, weekly highlights, and other polo content (Video On Demand) accessible now at globalpolo.com and free to all subscribers in 2020. Several different outlets, such as Apple TV, Roku, IOS, and Android will also be available beginning with the GAUNTLET OF POLO™.
“I want to congratulate the USPA and ChukkerTV on their three-year extension,” said David Cummings, President and CEO of Global Polo Entertainment and Chairman of the Board for USPA Global Licensing Inc. “With some 75 plus games being streamed during the GAUNTLET OF POLO™, we at Global Polo Entertainment are especially excited about the launch of Global Polo TV with weekly tournament highlights in a TV show format to showcase USPA’s livestreamed content. With the collaboration of ChukkerTV’s technical expertise, USPA’s oversight and GPE’s management, we are confident that we will create a premier destination to watch polo,” said Cummings.
Effective Date: Saturday, May 16, 2020
The suspension of USPA Tournaments and Events will be lifted for USPA Member Clubs in locales where hosting polo matches and tournaments is permitted under applicable state and local laws, executive orders and similar decrees. The USPA Member Clubs in these locales are encouraged to follow all such requirements of their state and local authorities with respect to polo operations. In addition, we also encourage all USPA Member Clubs to take the precautions recommended by the CDC. We are preparing a detailed list of best practices for USPA Member Clubs as they return to hosting USPA Tournaments and Events and plan to circulate these guidelines within the next week. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will notify you if we determine a different course of action is necessary.
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