Powerboat P1, which organises international powerboat racing competitions, says the reach of its worldwide broadcast deals this season has climbed to more than 200 million homes, with coverage in more than 150 countries across five continents.

The international marine motorsports promoter, which operates brands including P1 Offshore racing, the UIM Class 1 race series and P1 AquaX jet ski racing, says it aims for long-term development of the sport through ‘robust’ media offerings.

Seven race teams from three continents competed in the final round of the 2023 UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship in St. Petersburg on Florida’s Gulf Coast earlier this month.

Powerboat P1 has welcomed new teams this year and further aims to grow the class nationally and abroad with more international teams, worldwide TV coverage and streaming opportunities.

Azam Rangoonwala, Powerboat P1 CEO - Photo credit APBA

“It’s clear that millions of fans around the world are loving the dramatic, high-speed action and diverse offering of Class 1, P1 Offshore and AquaX,” says Powerboat P1 CEO, Azam Rangoonwala (pictured left — image courtesy of APBA).

“By growing the national and international television audiences and attracting new teams and fans to offshore racing, P1 is delivering significant value to host venues, race teams, sponsors and partners,” he continues.

“We have put new strategic relationships in place to showcase our exciting and entertaining sport and to secure new broadcast deals in key territories. We are propelling the sport into the mainstream and reaching new markets that feature in our Class 1 globalisation plan.”

Coverage currently extends to sports channels across the United Kingdom and Western Europe, Australia, Singapore, Japan, the Philippines, South Africa, Egypt, Thailand, Malaysia, the Middle East and South America.

Powerboat P1 recently appointed Dream Bay Entertainment, founded by former Amazon Studios executive, Thomas Drachkovitch, to help build Class 1’s global media strategy and live TV offering.

“We’re incredibly excited to join Azam and the P1 team to help further expand P1, Class 1 and AquaX,” says Drachkovitch. “With Dream Bay’s global reach and local expertise, we’re strategically positioned to create a premium and world-class media offering. The popularity of the sport is growing rapidly, and we’re eager to delight fans, both at home and at the races, with the most exciting show on water.”

Rangoonwala adds: “Thomas and Dream Bay bring extensive international TV and media experience to the team, making them the ideal partner to help take P1 Offshore, AquaX and Class 1 to the next level. How fans consume sports is always evolving, and we’re excited to develop an innovative approach to reach fans wherever they are. There has never been a more exciting time for powerboat racing.”

Main image: UIM Class 1 start in opening round in Cocoa Beach. Image courtesy of Pete Boden.

The post Worldwide audience for powerboat racing reaches record high appeared first on Marine Industry News.