Fox Sports International has launched a new all-sports channel for Israel. The channel, which began on August 13, 2000, will broadcast 24 hours per day, seven days per week of premier international sports programming to satellite viewers across the region. The channel will be offered via Israel’s new satellite television system, YES.
Viewers throughout Israel will enjoy Fox Sports’ world-class coverage of major events and competitions, including soccer from the English Premier League and the Italian Serie A; soccer from Argentina and Chile; soccer shows such as the Western Union Soccer Show; soccer tournaments including Copa America 2001; international cricket tournaments such as the New Zealand Tour of South Africa, England Tour of Pakistan, Pepsi ACC Trophy 2000, Zimbabwe Tour of New England; Six Nations, Tri Nations and Super 12’s rugby; international boxing; PGA Tour golf tournaments; NCAA college football and basketball; ATP Tour tennis tournaments and Major League Baseball. The National Sports Report sums up all the day’s sports news, rounding out FOX Sports’ 24-hour daily schedule.
‘We are thrilled to bring the action and excitement of Fox Sports to sports fans throughout Israel,’ said David Sternberg, Vice President of Business Development for Fox Sports International and General Manager of the new Fox Sports channel. ‘Together with our distribution partners at YES, we look forward to offering Israeli viewers the exclusive programming and cutting-edge production values for which Fox Sports has become renowned throughout the world.’
Fox Sports will launch with an exciting programming lineup. In the month of August, the network will feature such top-notch programming as the Major League Baseball pennant races; first-division soccer from Argentina and Chile; the US Open Cup soccer tournament semifinals; and PGA Golf tournaments such as the Buick Open. The English Premier League will kick off with live, exclusive coverage of the Manchester United – Newcastle match on Sunday, August 20.
Fox Sports Israel is affiliated with Fox Sports International, a venture between News Corporation and Liberty Media Corporation. Fox Sports International also operates the program services Fox Sports Latin America, Fox Sports World Español, Fox Sports World, Fox Sports Europe and Fox Sports Middle East as well as a worldwide program syndication sales business. Additional information about Fox Sports Israel programming can be obtained by visiting the channel’s Web site at www.foxsportsil.com.
YES shareholders include local telco Bezeq Ltd., with a 30 percent stake; Eurocom Communications, with 30 percent; Gilat Satellite Networks, with 15 percent; and Poalim Investments and Lidan Business Enterprises, which hold 12.5 percent each.
For Further Information Please Contact:
Raúl de Quesada
FOX Sports International
Tel: 310-286-3854
Fax: 310-286-6389