LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nitro Circus will ramp up its partnership with Facebook in 2018 by delivering 28 exclusive live broadcasts on the platform starting this summer. These will include events in a newly expanded 2018 Nitro World Games as well as live streamed segments from Nitro Circus’ upcoming arena tour. The agreement will also feature innovative Nitro Circus-produced original shows that will bring fans closer than ever to the incredible athletes vying to compete in each competition and performing at Nitro Circus shows across the globe.
“Nitro Circus has invested heavily in video on Facebook for many years and it is the best platform to turn users who like our content into long-term Nitro Circus fans,” said Mike Cowan, Nitro Circus’ Chief Digital Officer. “In large part due to Facebook, we have consistently had some of the most engaged digital fans in sports and entertainment. It is a natural extension to broadcast our live events directly on this platform, since it is where almost 20 million of our fans already are worldwide and it is the best place to create online conversations and communities.”
“We've seen a strong community form around action sports on Facebook — and Nitro Circus is a big reason why,” said Devi Mahadevia, Facebook’s Live Sports Programming Lead for North America. “The brand does an exceptional job of engaging with its fans on the platform, so we're thrilled to partner with it to deliver an exciting slate of both live and original content this year.”
The partnership encompasses exclusive broadcasts of 14 Nitro World Games events and 14 live look-ins from Nitro Circus’ live tour, featuring BMX, freestyle motocross (FMX), skate, scooter and more. Live coverage kicks off August 10 and will run through Nitro Circus’ arena tour in December. It will be available in the U.S. on Facebook Watch and globally via the Nitro Circus Facebook page. Nitro Circus has streamed simulcasts of the Nitro World Games on Facebook before, but this year marks the first time that it will broadcast an exclusive selection of Nitro World Games events on Facebook. More details about the 2018 Nitro World Games will be announced soon.
In addition to this slate of live events, Nitro Circus will also produce two new original series for Facebook. Premiering in mid-July, Unlocked will follow up-and-coming action sports athletes from around the world as they battle for a spot at the 2018 Nitro World Games. Unlocked will feature legendary athletes mentoring young hopefuls, culminating in high-stakes competitions to unlock coveted invitations to compete in the Nitro World Games. Then, debuting later this year, another yet-to-be-titled original series will focus on the world-class FMX, BMX, Skate, Scooter and Inline athletes that tour the globe with the Nitro Circus live show, as well as profile hometown heroes, fan favorites and more.
"With this innovative partnership, we can't wait to not only grant our fans more access but to have them share the experience with their friends and other fans from around the world," added Nick Crooks, Vice President - Global Head of Digital Partnerships and Distribution for Nitro Circus.
For both the live broadcasts and Unlocked, Nitro Circus will deliver broadcast components specifically tailored for Facebook Watch, including interactive elements that engage communities and create conversation. For the first time, Nitro Circus will incorporate fan voting into its live broadcasts, giving viewers the ability to compare their scores to those of the official judges as well as to vote in polls that will directly affect the live show. During the Unlocked series, fans will be able to participate in live Q&A's with the featured athletes and weigh in on who should be selected to compete in the Nitro World Games.
Nitro Circus premiered Mic'd Up on Facebook Watch last September as part of the platform’s high profile rollout, and the series recently returned for its second season. Mic’d Up gives viewers an up-close look at the high-adrenaline world of Nitro Circus, going inside the helmet and giving an unprecedented behind-the-scenes perspective on its athletes and their commitment to progress action sports.
Co-founded by global icon Travis Pastrana, Nitro Circus produces a wide variety of engaging multi-platform original content, including acclaimed theatrical releases, TV specials, original series and digital videos as well as the massively successful Nitro World Games competition and an unrivalled action sports clip library. Nitro Circus athletes also tour the world, performing spectacular live shows to packed stadiums on all corners of the planet.
For Nitro Circus news, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, tour updates and more, go to http://www.nitrocircus.com and follow Nitro Circus on Instagram and Facebook.
About NITRO CIRCUS
Nitro Circus, the world’s biggest action sports entertainment brand, creates electrifying live events and unbelievable original content that at once exhilarates, captivates and inspires thrill-seeking fans worldwide. Co-founded by global superstar Travis Pastrana in 2003, Nitro Circus has since grown into a multiplatform phenomenon producing hit television shows, critically acclaimed documentaries and innovative digital offerings. That success gave rise to the Nitro Circus Live tour. Created in 2010, Nitro Circus Live has travelled the globe, playing to sold-out stadiums on five continents. The company introduced an innovative breakthrough in 2016 with the debut of Nitro World Games, completely rebooting action sports competition in the process. With over three million tickets sold to date, television programming that has aired in over 60 countries, more than 20 million engaged fans across its social media platforms and a burgeoning consumer products business, Nitro Circus is at the forefront of action sports and entertainment. For more information visit www.nitrocircus.com.
About Facebook Watch:
Facebook Watch is a place to discover and enjoy shows on Facebook. Home to a wide range of shows – from scripted comedy and drama, to competition and reality series, to individual creators and live sports – Facebook Watch is a video platform where episodic content, community and conversation come together. This is a personalized viewing experience, where you can discover new series based on what your friends are watching, and catch up on the shows you follow. Facebook Watch is available for free on mobile apps across Apple and Android, on desktop, laptop and on TV apps listed here: https://videoapp.fb.com/