Though televised show jumping has been under the sole reign of NBC for seemingly decades, CBS has opted to branch out and take on the Longines Masters in New York City this spring.
Photo by Laurent Vu for EEM
December 21, 2017 – Paris and New York – CBS Sports Network has been named the official television partner of the Longines Masters of New York.
EEM, creators of the Longines Masters Series, announced Thursday that CBS Sports Network will be the official television partner of the Longines Masters of New York, with exclusive coverage throughout the weekend of April 26-29, 2018 from NYCB Live, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. CBS Sports Network will televise in tandem with EEM.tv to provide comprehensive coverage of one of the most prestigious show jumping events in the world.
CBS Sports Network will debut its coverage of the Longines Masters Series with a two-hour recap of the first duel in the brand new Riders Masters Cup, hosted by the Longines Masters of Paris. Airing Saturday, Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. ET and Sunday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. ET, the Riders Masters Cup is the captivating new duel-style competition pitting Team Europe against Team USA.
In the first bout, Team Europe narrowly edged Team USA 9-6 earlier this month in Paris in front of a crowd of more than 10,000 fans. Viewers can see the dramatic competition this weekend, including the triumphant wins by Team USA’s Laura Kraut, Chloe Reid and Reed Kessler. The Paris showdown was the first of a two-part competition, which will culminate at the Longines Masters of New York on Saturday, Apr. 28.
As part of its coverage of the Longines Masters of New York, CBS Sports Network will televise the Longines Speed Challenge and Longines Grand Prix competitions, in addition to the dramatic conclusion to the Riders Masters Cup. EEM.tv will provide coverage Masters Power, a six-bar competition, and all amateur competitions throughout the weekend.
Unique to the Longines Masters Series, the Longines Speed Challenge emphasizes the swiftness of the horses as each fault is only penalized by 2 seconds as opposed to the standard 4. With a fallen rail meaning a lesser consequence, riders and their horses focus on getting through the course as fast as possible. The Longines Speed Challenge will be televised live in the U.S. for the first time in the Longines Masters Series three-season history.
The crown jewel of the Longines Masters Series, the Longines Grand Prix, features legendary curves and straights etched by internationally-renowned course designers.
In the second and final face-off of the Riders Masters Cup, Team USA will return to home soil and seek revenge following its narrow defeat over five grueling head-to-head matchups after two rounds in Paris.
In addition to CBS Sports Network’s exclusive six hours of coverage, EEM.tv will provide complementary, comprehensive coverage of the weekend for fans around the world. EEM.tv is the new, free live TV channel created by EEM to foster international engagement with equestrian sport and its athletes and influencers.
EEM.tv aims to bring together all audiences through a variety of programming, cultivated by the event, through live broadcasts of classes, documentaries and original productions. In its first month, EEM.tv has already reached audiences in 130 countries with 70,000 sessions and has accumulated almost 500,000 page views. EEM.tv will showcase behind-the-scenes action throughout the weekend and highlight the rising stars of show jumping.
The Longines Masters of New York marks the grand finale of Season III of the Longines Masters Series and the first time the prestigious international show jumping Grand Slam series will be held in New York, following two seasons in Los Angeles. The Longines Masters of New York at the newly-renovated Nassau Coliseum will offer unparalleled first-class sport, live music, one-of-a-kind artwork, delectable cuisine and more.
Tickets to all sessions of the Longines Masters of New York will go on sale in January 2018. For fans tuning into Team USA this weekend on CBS Sports Network, visit the Longines Masters Facebook page for special exclusive pre-sale opportunities. For more information, visit https://longinesmasters.com/en/ or go directly to http://www.nycblive.com/