ESPN Classic Sport will make its debut in Italy on TELE + DIGITALE (direct-to-home digital satellite) on Monday, July 1, it was announced today by Roch Pellerin, managing director, ESPN Classic Sport. ESPN Classic Sport marks ESPN’s first branded network initiative in Italy.
Transmitted 24 hours a day, ESPN Classic Sport will offer a dedicated network feed that will allow the content to be tailored to the tastes of Italian sports fans. ESPN Classic Sport will be presented in Italian.
ESPN Classic Sport will offer a schedule of programming that showcases some of the most memorable moments in Italian sports history including Italy’s victory in the 1982 World Cup over West Germany, full-length matches featuring the greatest Championship winning sides from Serie A, unforgettable highlights from the 1960 Rome Olympics, and vintage boxing matches featuring great fighters of Italian heritage, including Rocky Marciano, ‘Raging Bull’ Jake La Motta, and Nino Benvenuti.
‘ESPN Classic Sport offers viewers a unique opportunity to relive extraordinary moments in sports,’ said Pellerin. ‘Passionate fans and a rich history of sport make Italy an ideal market in which to offer ESPN Classic Sport.’
Added Olivier Gerolami, managing director, TELE + DIGITALE: ‘Discovering this new channel on the TELE + DIGITALE platform will be a great surprise to all sports lovers. It is a channel which further enriches our package, already the nation’s most complete digital platform.’
To complement its local programming, ESPN Classic Sport will also feature a compelling showcase of international sports, including full-length matches, event highlights, and produced retrospective programs. ESPN Classic Sport’s programming line-up also includes the FIFA World Cup* Official Film collection, the most historic moments from the summer and winter Olympics, epic grand slam tennis action from the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon, and legendary boxing matches featuring such all-time greats as Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, and Joe Louis.
ESPN Classic Sport made its European debut in France in March. ESPN Classic Sport is 70 percent owned by ESPN, Inc. and 30 percent owned by Sports Capital Partners. TWI, the largest independent producer, packager, and distributor of sports programming in the world, plays a principal role in ESPN Classic Sport by providing a variety of support services to the venture, including production and facilities.
For further onformation please contact:
ESPN
Chris Bellitti
T: +1 (212) 916.9889 or
E: chris.bellitti@espn.com