The World Karate Federation has appointed the Mediapro agency as the host broadcaster of its leading events over the next two years while also returning to the Spain-based Simply Sport as its worldwide media rights distributor.
Mediapro’s two-year contract builds upon its multi-sport event experience as host broadcaster of the recent Pan American Games in Santiago (Chile) as well as the 2019 edition in Lima (Peru), and this year’s European Games in Kraków-Małopolska (Poland). The agency and production group was also the audiovisual supplier to the 2022 Mediterranean Games in Oran (Algeria).
Karate featured at all four multi-sports events.
Under the contract with the WKF, Mediapro’s Broadcast Media Services division will produce six tournaments in 2024 and a minimum of seven in 2025.
Mediapro will deliver audiovisual production, content creation and live coverage of the Karate 1-Premier League events, the World Team Championships and the World Individual Senior Championships. The European Karate Federation has also commissioned Mediapro to produce the Senior European Championships in 2024 and 2025.
From next year, the World Senior Championships have been split into team and individual events to be held in alternate years. The first iteration of the World Team Championships will be held in Pamplona (Spain) in November next year. Cairo (Egypt) will play host to the inaugural World Senior Individual Championships in 2025.
Mediapro, which will produce a 25-minute programme from each Premier League tournament, has vowed to deploy “significant technical and human resources” to the project.
Antonio Espinós, the WKF president, said: “With the group's proficiency in the production of sporting events and in content integration, we are convinced that our tournaments will reach unprecedented levels of excellence and popularity. This partnership will help us promote the championships and increase the audience for karate across the global broadcast industry.”
News of the production contract comes at a time of transition for Mediapro.
Last month, it was announced that founding member Jaume Roures is leaving the company after almost 30 years. In a statement, Mediapro described the departure as a “disassociation” from the company’s management group. Majority shareholder Southwind Media is also exploring a sale of its stake in the company and is working with advisers to gauge takeover interest.