From Play Sports Network, the group behind Global Cycling Network (GCN), comes the Global Triathlon Network (GTN), which has officially launched on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. GTN is a brand new video channel positioned at triathletes of any ability… ‘from seasoned IRONMAN racers to first timers, and everyone in between – with content that entertains and informs in equal measure.’
GTN is the latest channel from the specialist cycling and tri-sports-focused Play Sports Network (PSN) and joins the existing two market-leading YouTube channels, Global Cycling Network (GCN) and Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN), ‘who together speak to over 7 million fans each month’. All presenters are ex-pros, ‘from the very highest levels of triathlon, road and mountain biking who connect with the fans, and with world-class athletes.’
PSN has launched GTN after recognising a need for specific triathlon content. The company has cited that… ‘Challenge Family found that over 170 million people consumed triathlon content globally in 2015 with MultiSport Research estimating the triathlon market to be worth US$3.4 billion in the UK and USA in 2016. Alongside this, British Triathlon research found that triathlon participation is up 67% since 2009.’ Simon Wear, Founder and CEO said “We are so excited to launch GTN finally; it’s been a year in the making. For some time now both consumers and clients have been asking us to launch this channel. Finally, after a lot of planning and hard work we are ready to go. Consumers’ consumption and expectation of media has changed significantly over recent years, GTN will deliver the super high quality triathlon content directly to their smartphone, computer or television.” GTN presented by Mark Threlfall and Heather Fell GTN is fronted by ex-professional triathlete Mark Threlfall who switched from swimming to triathlon in 2006. He has raced the ITU series as a member of the British Triathlon World Class team, and recently smashed the Outlaw Half record by 15 minutes! Other notable achievements include Silver in the European Duathlon and Bronze at IRONMAN 70.3 UK.
Mark is joined by Olympic silver medallist from the sport of Modern Pentathlon, Heather Fell, who transitioned into cycling and triathlon finding success in her first IRONMAN, which led onto her taking a slot in the age group world championships in Kona, Hawaii. GTN will be following her journey from training to the finish line, ‘helping triathletes of all levels equip themselves to be the best they can be’.
GTN will provide an informative and entertaining mix of how to videos, top tips and the very latest tech and gear all wrapped up with a weekly show. It will also be on hand to answer triathlon questions ‘from beginners right through to those tackling their 10th IRONMAN and beyond, with a little help from some of the biggest names in the sport including the Brownlee brothers.’
A release from Play Sports added that ‘the channel just wouldn’t be able to happen without the dedicated partners and sponsors who share GTN’s vision and desire to inspire and help triathletes around the globe.’ These partners are Assos, Cervélo, Continental, FSA, KASK, Park Tool, Polar, Quarq, Vision and Zipp. Play Sports Group is home to the Play Sports Network and SHIFT Active Media. It is a leading creator of cycling digital video distributed on YouTube and Facebook. With expertise in video and digital distribution, the company claims a leadership position in the market, reporting 84% year-on-year growth in video views to over 40 million in January 2017.
Together with the newly launched Global Triathlon Network, Play Sports operate two market-leading YouTube channels, Global Cycling Network and Global Mountain Bike Network, with over 1.65 million subscribers and millions of fans across associated social media platforms.
Headquartered in Bath, England, the company is backed by an investor group that includes Discovery Communications, Andrew Croker (Perform, IMG), Oli Slipper, John Gleasure and Stef D’Anna (Perform), Tony Ball, (Sky & BT), Paul Bolwell and Humphrey Cobbold (Pure Gym & former Wiggle CEO).
SHIFT Active Media is an award-winning cycling media agency, which works alongside some of the biggest, most high profile brands in the cycling world.
www.playsportsnetwork.com www.shiftactivemedia.com