On March 1, there was a press release stating that Viaplay will have the all-time commitment to motorsport. In front is Daniel Høglund, which on two occasions has been taken for drink-driving.
Both Høglund and Viaplay understand that the choice of host can make people react.
– Yes, I can understand that – and respect. But I must first and foremost focus on making my job the best possible, says Høglund to TV 2.
Boasts of Høglund
Kristian Oma is sports manager at Nent, which is the company that owns Viaplay. To Good evening Norway, he explains why they chose Høglund as host.
– Daniel is a brilliant host and we need a brilliant host when we start this project. Driving under the influence is unmusical, regardless of whether you are a program manager for football or motorsport.
Høglund is one of Norway’s most famous presenters in sports, and has hosted both football and handball broadcasts on TV3 and Viaplay. He also has a background as a presenter in P4.
Høglund is informed that this article is being written, but has not expressed that he wants to comment on the case.
Goes back on his word
After Høglund was convicted of drunk driving for the second time, he showed up in a candid VG-interview.
There, he said he could never lead a Formula 1 broadcast in the future, since alcohol and car do not belong together.
– At that time, a little over a day after the incident, I obviously thought it was not relevant. This is not something I expected to happen. My bosses have asked me to take on this task, so then I relate to it, thank you for the trust and look forward to helping build the biggest F1 investment ever, says Høglund.
Grandma says that Høglund was probably far down when he said he should never lead a Formula 1 program, and that the quote therefore came in the “heat of battle”.
Høglund was sentenced to 35 days probation after he drove 1.08 per mille in the middle of the night in central Oslo last autumn.
The incident happened just three years after Høglund crashed a car in Larvik – that time with a blood alcohol level of 1.92.
Stands for the election
The sports director explains that they think you have to be able to make up for it, and then get another chance.
– We will be responsible for this election, even if there are some reactions.
The mentioned investment means that the motorsport broadcasts receive major upgrades, including a brand new and much larger studio. With the investment, the channel has also brought in Viaplay’s Formula 1 expert Atle Gulbrandsen, Stein Pettersen and Henning Isdal.
Former rally, Formula 3000 and WRC driver Thomas Schie is also back as an expert.
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