Steve Norris joins Gravity Media as Director of Production and Content

UK

~ Former BT Sport Commercial Sports Rights Head to drive Gravity Media’s expansion in media, content and facilities services ~

Watford, UK, 14 October 2019 – Gravity Media, the owner of worldwide production and broadcast services specialists Gearhouse BroadcastHyperactive BroadcastInput Media and Chief Entertainment, has appointed former BT Sport executive Steve Norris as its new Director, Production and Content. His appointment will help broaden Gravity Media’s global expansion across media, content, and facilities.

Steve brings over 30 years of industry experience to Gravity Media and is widely recognised as a leader when it comes to delivering premium sports broadcasting and handling global TV rights. He was part of the launch team for BT Sport, which transformed the sports broadcasting landscape in the UK and previously helped Ten Sports (now Sony Ten) launch and quickly grow to become one of Asia’s most successful sports channels, reaching over 100 million homes in the region. During his career, Steve has worked alongside Gravity Media on several high-profile sporting productions including live tennis and cricket.

For the last seven years, Steve has served as Head of Commercial Sports Rights at BT Sport. He was a key player in the broadcaster’s game-changing multi-million pound acquisition of Premier League football rights in 2012 and also spearheaded several other high-profile deals, including for Ashes cricket, Premiership Rugby, European Rugby, FA Cup, multiple European football leagues, NBA, UFC and MotoGP. Steve was responsible for some of BT’s key strategic partnerships with the BBC and the FA, ESPN and Frank Warren and BT’s move into PPV boxing with Tyson Fury.  

Commenting on his appointment, Steve said: “The media landscape is changing dramatically, from a commercial, technological and viewer perspective With the rise in OTT TV and the arrival into mainstream broadcasting of Facebook, Apple, Amazon and DAZN, now is the perfect time to be joining such an ambitious, dynamic and relevant company. Whenever I’ve worked alongside Gravity Media, I’ve always been impressed with the experience and diligence of its team and their pragmatic approach to project management and I’m really looking forward to getting started.”

John Newton, CEO at Gravity Media, added: “Having someone of Steve’s calibre come on board provides a great opportunity for Gravity Media to continue our global expansion. He has already stamped a significant footprint on the global sports rights and broadcasting industry, and we’re delighted to be able to enhance our team with his expertise.”

Steve, John and other members of the Gravity Media leadership team will be attending leading international sports media and technology industry event Sportel Monaco from 21-23 October.