Australian pay-TV operator Foxtel will continue its coverage of major US sports leagues and competitions after renewing its carriage agreement with international sports broadcaster ESPN.

The new multi-year, multi-platform deal will see Foxtel retain rights to show ESPN’s portfolio of rights including basketball's NBA, American football’s NFL, baseball’s MLB, mixed martial arts promotion UFC, and US college sports on its Foxtel linear channels and Kayo Sports streaming platform.

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As well as live sports, Foxtel will gain rights to show ESPN’s original programming, including its flagship studio shows such as SportsCenter, First Take, Pardon The Interruption, NBA Today, and NFL Primetime, as well as documentaries and special features, including its 30 for 30 series.

The agreement builds on 21 years of programming agreements between the two, which started in 2002.

Kylie Watson-Sheeler, senior vice president and managing director of Walt Disney Co. Australia and New Zealand, said: “We are pleased to extend our longstanding relationship with Foxtel Group. This multi-year deal provides Australian sports fans with access to a comprehensive slate of ESPN programming, including our films, flagship studio shows, and extensive major sports properties.

“Australians clearly love their sports and have an ever-growing appetite for the US major leagues, which makes ESPN programming so highly viewed and valued across all platforms it is delivered.”

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Foxtel's sports portfolio includes extensive cricket rights through deals with major men’s T20 competitions the Indian Premier League and the domestic Big Bash League, as well as Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board – giving it rights to the Ashes series – South Africa, New Zealand, and Pakistan.

It also has rights to the popular Australian Football League, National Rugby League, and National Basketball League, as well as Supercars Australia, golf’s PGA of Australia, and matches involving the national netball team through a deal with Netball Australia.

Additionally, it holds rights to the Australian Grand Prix Formula 1 and MotoGP motorsport events.

Rebecca McCloy, Foxtel Group executive director of commercial and sport, said: “We are proud to be the home of Australia’s biggest and most popular sports through Foxtel and Kayo Sports – it’s great news for our millions of sports subscribers that this deal will ensure they continue to have access to the best of ESPN’s world-class sports.

“These rights, and the strength and quality of coverage from Fox Sports and partners like ESPN, is continuing to drive the growth of our award-winning streaming service Kayo Sports – which now has more than 1.3 million subscribers.”