National Awards For Southern-based Broadcast Company
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The largest private live streaming company for motorsport in New Zealand has just won two national award, and they’re based right here in Southland.
Jason & The Pits Media took out the Speedway New Zealand national award for ‘Best Online Presence’ and ‘Best Media Support’ at a ceremony in Christchurch at the weekend.
Owner Jason Gutteridge and his strong entourage – made up of family members, regularly travel around the country live streaming major events from two purpose-built broadcast trucks.
Their social media following worldwide is huge, particularly You Tube and TikTok where thousands of viewers subscribe to watch their events livestreamed through The PitsTV.
Core business is motorsport, and over summer the family will travel to about 50 meetings around country, but also they have branched out into other events such as the Galbraith Rugby Shield, Fight For Kids charity event, and will soon also follow the Southland Stags pre-season games in Te Anau.
Jason started out by being asked to be a commentator out at the local speedway one weekend, when they were short, and quickly developed a love for the sport.
Frustrated by being constantly hassled by people texting him to know the updates on track, he started creating live audio streams – and from there it blossomed.
His team of 30 used to travel as far north as Rotorua and back in one weekend in the early days, but now he has two specialised trucks, kitted out himself, with one permanently based in the north island.
Along with the famous ‘Big Red’ bus, is the new custom-built Mercedes van, “which includes all of the ideas of the failings from the first one,” he joked.
With 16 cameras in each van, the team will be present at a speedway event of up to 10,000 to 15,000 people, and then be able to attract a further 5000 through live streaming.
“It has really raised the profile of New Zealand motorsport worldwide,” he said.
The reason New Zealand motorsport is so popular worldwide is that many other countries – particularly the US, don’t have the same level of crashes and high-profile manoeuvres like other race tracks.
“We’re quite unique in New Zealand. They all think we’re crazy.”
Go watch for yourself and be the judge.