IMG revamps sports media archive service

The IMG agency has relaunched its sports media archive service as it seeks to expand its remit.

The new-look IMG Replay seeks to reflect the archive business’ broadening scope and market appeal beyond sport with the introduction of an updated range of content and services.

The new platform includes the addition of daily sports clips from sports news video agency SNTV and mixed martial arts content from the UFC, with plans to expand with content from entertainment and fashion properties.

IMG Replay manages, markets and distributes footage and archive programming from around the world, working with sports federations, governing bodies and events such as the ATP Media division of the men’s tennis tour; golf’s European Tour, PGA of America and The R&A; the International Olympic Committee; football’s English Premier League; the Wimbledon tennis championships and World Rugby. The archive is comprised of over 400,000 hours of content dating back more than 100 years, including match footage, interviews and programming.

IMG Replay will now provide even greater access to premium archive material, including rights-ready content pre-cleared for editorial use. Other services and growth areas include onsite services such as live clipping, research expertise, archive clips and short-form production; development of digital video platforms; and third party rights and clearance.

In 2016, the service introduced a dedicated rights and clearance team and launched a secure content portal for Premier League international licensees.

Richard Wise, senior vice-president of IMG Media, said: “IMG Replay will remain a key player within the IMG landscape, able to tap into wider WME-IMG resources, talent and global media expertise. Our primary aim is to push beyond sport, into areas such as entertainment and fashion, in line with the wider scope of WME-IMG.”

The new website for the service, IMGReplay.com, launches this week.