Formula DRIFT and DIRECTV Go For Round Two With 2011 Season Opener in 3D
Long Beach, Calif. – April 6, 2011 – Following last year’s successful 3D
broadcast of Formula DRIFT’s “Round 7, Title Fight” event, DIRECTV and
Formula DRIFT take another spin around the track with the production of
Formula DRIFT’s 2011 season opener, Round 1: Streets of Long Beach. The
race will be the first-ever drifting street race to be produced in 3D
and will be available exclusively on n3D, powered by Panasonic, this
summer.
The season opener will be held in Long Beach, Calif., on
April 8-9 and is the only drifting event on the circuit to legally
utilize real city streets. The race will debut a new suite of cars and
drivers to the Formula DRIFT series and will be co-hosted by DIRECTV Red
Zone Channel host, Andrew Siciliano, actress and TV host, Mayleen
Ramey, and co-founder of Formula DRIFT, Ryan Sage.
DIRECTV will also test new production techniques for this event,
including new camera angles of the course and in-car cameras that will
give viewers the driver’s perspective of the track. Last year’s final
round in Irwindale, Calif., was rated the most watched original 3D
program on DIRECTV and continues to be re-aired in 3D on the n3D
channel, as well as in 2D on The 101 Network.
“The 2010 Final Fight 3D event was a great success for our n3D channel
and we are excited to continue our partnership with Formula DRIFT, as
well as our support for the sport of drifting,” said Chris Long, senior
vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. “Filming on the streets in Long
Beach versus on a track will give the broadcast a completely different
feel and we are looking forward to testing new production techniques
that will truly make 3D fans feel like they are in the driver’s seat.”
“DIRECTV captured the excitement on the high banks during the 2010
season finale at the birthplace of American professional drifting at the
Toyota Speedway at Irwindale,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder,
Formula DRIFT. “Now, DIRECTV will be able to capture the unique and
intense setting that is the season opener, through the only legal
professional drift competition on city streets.”
DIRECTV offers more 3D programming than any other television provider in
the country. n3D, powered by Panasonic (Ch. 103), the nation’s first
24/7 3D network, is available at no additional cost to millions of
DIRECTV HD customers. In addition to exclusive 3D coverage of special
events such as the 2010 MLB All-Star Game and the 2010 U.S. Open Tennis
Championship, the n3D channel also gives customers access to exclusive,
original 3D programming such as DIRECTV’s award-winning series Guitar
Center Sessions and Guy’s Big Bite in 3D. The 3D programming available
both on n3D and DIRECTV CINEMA are all powered by Panasonic. DIRECTV
also offers 3net and ESPN 3D as part of its 3D programming platform.
DIRECTV HD customers, who received a free software upgrade that enabled
them to access 3D channels on DIRECTV, will need a 3D television set and
3D glasses to view the programming on DIRECTV. For more information on
n3D, powered by Panasonic, please visit www.DIRECTV.com/3D.
For more information contact:
John Pangilinan
The ID Agency for Formula DRIFT
213.802.0863
john@theidagency.com
Robert Mercer
DIRECTV
310.964.4683
rgmercer@directv.com
ABOUT FORMULA DRIFT
Entering its eighth season, Formula DRIFT is recognized as the North
American professional drifting championship. Established on the streets
of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that
challenges each driver’s driving ability and vehicle control. Formula
DRIFT provides a forum for professional drifters to compete in 7 events
nationwide for the coveted Formula DRIFT Championship crown. As the
first official series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken
competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting fans and car
enthusiasts from all walks of life and establishes itself as the
world-wide leader for the Sport. For a competition schedule and ticket
information, visit: www.formuladrift.com.
ABOUT IMG SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Operating in 30 countries, IMG Sports & Entertainment’s diverse
businesses include: consulting services; event ownership and management;
fashion events and models representation; licensing; golf course
design; and client representation in golf, tennis, broadcasting,
speakers, European football, rugby, cricket, motor sports, coaching,
Olympic and action sports. IMG Academies are the world’s largest,
multi-sport training and educational facilities, delivering world-class
training experiences to more than 12,000 junior, collegiate, adult, and
professional athletes each year. More information is available at:
www.imgworld.com.
ABOUT DIRECTV
DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is the world’s largest pay TV provider delivering
the premiere video experience through state-of-the-art technology,
unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than
28 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S.,
DIRECTV offers its 19.2 million customers access to more than 160 HD
channels and Dolby-Digital 5.1 theater-quality sound (when available),
access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET, award
winning technology like its DIRECTV DVR Scheduler and higher customer
satisfaction than the leading cable companies for ten years running.
DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies
in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin
American countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming
and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 9
million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include
three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and
Pittsburgh) as well as a 65 percent interest in Game Show Network. For
the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please call 1-800-DIRECTV or
visit www.DIRECTV.com.