There's A New Iron Dog Team
THERE'S A NEW IRON DOG TEAMIron Dog and KTUU-TV reach media rights agreement
The Iron Dog and KTUU-TV (Northern Lights Media) announced a media rights agreement today that will provide enhanced television and online coverage of the longest and toughest snowmobile race in the world - starting Thanksgiving weekend with the primetime airing of an hour-long documentary.This year's coverage will start Sunday, Nov. 27th, at 8 p.m. with the premiere broadcast of "Seven Days to Survive," a look at the 2011 race and the brutal weather that dogged racers on the leg from the Yukon River to Nome."Matching the unparalleled media capabilities of KTUU-TV's Channel 2 News and the extreme challenge and riveting adventure of the Iron Dog, is a natural step in expanding the audience in and out of Alaska for the 2,013 mile race," said Iron Dog executive director Kevin Kastner."The result will be vastly expanded coverage, additional sponsorship opportunities and a business model that will help grow this incredible race over time," Kastner said.Other coverage includes:
- An hour-long race preview in primetime on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5th.
- Live race start on Feb. 19th from Big Lake, AK.
- Live news coverage from the field during the race on Channel 2 News and continuous race updates on ktuu.com.
- Live coverage from the halfway point in Nome, AK.
- Live coverage of the race finish on Feb. 25th in Fairbanks, AK.
- Online, www.ktuu.com will carry additional coverage.
"The coverage will give viewers and users a look at the toughest snowmobile race in the world, and one of Alaska's extreme sport challenges," said Andy MacLeod, general manager of KTUU-TV.Updates on the fast-paced race from Anchorage to Nome and back to Fairbanks will be provided via television, web, social media and mobile throughout Alaska. Online distribution to the continental U.S. and Europe will focus on other northern states and countries where snowmobile races are held.Joining KTUU-TV (Northern Lights Media) is KTVF-TV (Newport Television) in Fairbanks and the Anchorage Daily News (McClatchy Newspapers), as well as the Anchorage Media Group (Morris Communications) of seven radio stations including KAYO Radio in Wasilla, which along with KFQD and KWHL will also carry race updates.The Iron Dog has run annually since 1984 and is known as "The World's Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race". According to Kastner, the media rights agreement is designed to raise the profile of the race with enthusiasts worldwide. Contact Information:Kevin Kastner, Executive Director, Iron Dog | 907-563-4414Brad Hillwig, Marketing Director, NLM KTUU-TV | 907-762-9203Andy MacLeod, General Manager, NLM KTUU-TV | 907-762-9202