Macau Cable TV Signs Contract with ESPN STAR Sports
Macau Cable TV and ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) announced on the 10th of June an agreement on the carriage of two of Asia’s leading sports channels. Viewers in Macau can now have access to ESPN and STAR Sports through Macau Cable TV.
Besides private households, ESS’ agreement with Macau Cable TV also includes hotels and commercial establishments.
Mr. Manuel Falcao, Managing Director of Macau Cable TV, stated, ‘ESPN and STAR Sports are two of Macau Cable TV’s key channels. Sports is a key component and a driver of our subscription offer. With two leading international sports channels on our platform, it will help us drive subscription growth in the territory.’
Said Simon Yu, Senior Vice-president of International Sales of ESS, ‘Both our channels ESPN and STAR Sports cover world class sporting action with the best production values. Macau people are keen sports fans and will appreciate the international quality of our coverage. Our research has shown that many people subscribe to cable because of sports and prefer watching sports on cable.’
According to ESS research, in countries like Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan, between 80% and 90% of viewers prefer watching sports on cable.
As Asia’s largest sports broadcaster, ESPN STAR Sports broadcasts more categories of sports out of Singapore than any other broadcaster in the world. ESS offers a diverse array of top-flight international and Asian sporting events, presented by the most professional and knowledgeable team of commentators who conduct the entertaining and yet informative on-screen commentary. And in terms of customization, a major portion of ESPN programs will be in Cantonese for territories such as Macau.
Viewers can watch ESPN and STAR Sports programs after Macau Cable TV’s inaugural broadcasting on 8th July 2000, including LIVE coverage of UEFA Champions’ League, Italian Serie A and Spanish Primera Liga, NBA, Formula One World Championship and US Open Tennis. There will also be exclusive carriage of ESPN-created X Games and Asian X Games Qualifier presented by Toyota as well as the Asian Bowling Tour.
For more information, please contact:
Kathy Che, Marketing Executive
Macau Cable TV
Tel: (853) 781812
Fax: (853) 781821
e-mail: kche@macaucabletv.com
Edward Yip, Program Publicity Manager
ESPN STAR Sports
Tel: (65) 4886132
Fax: (65) 4886308
e-mail: yipe@espnstar.com
Macau Cable TV uses the latest digital technology to transmit TV signals and its main objective is to provide Macau residents with better and high-quality TV programs and a diversified scope. Macau Cable TV will commence its broadcasting service on 8th July and in the elementary stage, Macau Cable TV will provide 40 channels of programs for viewers to choose from. Programs include sports, education, movies, entertainment, music, documentary, etc and the main languages are Cantonese, English and Mandarin.
ESPN STAR Sports is a 50:50 joint venture between two of the world’s leading cable and satellite broadcasters, ESPN Inc. and STAR TV. We are Asia’s leading sports broadcaster that reaches over 53 million households for ESPN and over 52 million households for STAR Sports (as of March, 2000). Our networks bring the world’s premier live sports and leading regional events to viewers 24 hours a day. The ESPN STAR Sports Event Management Group, formerly Sports Corporation, stages, manages and promotes sporting events around Asia.