ESPN, Inc., Globosat Programadora, Ltda., and Fox Sports International have reached an agreement to create a new 24-hour total sports network serving Brazil, it was jointly announced today by Alberto Pecegueiro, chief executive officer, Globosat Programadora, Willy Burkhardt, executive vice president, ESPN International, and Robert Thompson, president, Fox Sports International.
This new agreement harnesses the worldwide depth of ESPN and Fox Sports’international sports programming and combines it with Globosat’s reach across more than 2.7 million Brazilian television homes via terrestrial cable and digital satellite operations. As a result of this new three-way alliance, ESPN’s existing pan-regional network currently serving Brazil will be re-branded ‘ESPN Fox Sports’ in Brazil. Each of the three partners will have equal ownership in ESPN Fox Sports in return for their contribution of international sports rights, production, distribution, capital and other operational resources. The rebranding of the channel will become effective in early 2001.
ESPN Fox Sports will feature a portfolio of the world’s marquee sports leagues and events, including, from the United States, NBA basketball, Major League Baseball, NHL hockey, top events from the PGA tour and the legendary The Masters tournament from Augusta, Georgia. Viewers will also gain access to the best of European sport including, UEFA Champion’s League, English Premier League and Spanish First Division soccer, as well as the French Open tennis tournament from Paris. ESPN Fox Sports will also showcase world-class Argentine and Chilean league soccer, as well as the South American volleyball championships. And from Australia, viewers will enjoy the first grand slam tennis event of each year, the Australian Open from Melbourne, among other international competitions.
‘Globosat is very proud to be entering into this agreement with ESPN and Fox Sports,’ said Pecegueiro. ‘We are particularly excited by the opportunity to combine our knowledge of the Brazilian television market with the know how and rights inventory that the two largest sports networks in the world will bring to this winning venture.’
‘I am delighted about ESPN’s participation in the creation of the ESPN Fox Sports Network,’ said Burkhardt. ‘With the rich sports programming resources of ESPN and Fox Sports combined with the local market expertise and business acumen of Globosat, we will offer Brazilian fans the highest quality sports entertainment from around the world. This venture, along with Globosat’s recent commitment to increase the availability of our regional network ESPN Brasil, firmly establishes ESPN’s position as an internationally and locally recognized sports authority in Brazil.’
Added Fox Sports International’s Thompson, ‘An opportunity to combine two resourceful and respected sports providers in Brazil is a perfect complement to our ongoing Central and South American expansion. We look forward to working with ESPN and Globosat to now enable such an important and sports-rich market an even greater opportunity to participate in the world’s marquee events.’
ESPN Fox Sports will be based at Globosat’s broadcast facilities in Rio de Janeiro, where programming from ESPN and Fox Sports International will be down-linked and integrated into the new service, along with still more egional sports programming supplied by Globosat. All existing ESPN International Network contracts with Brazilian affiliates, advertisers, programmers and other suppliers will be honored in full by ESPN Fox Sports under terms of the new agreement.
Prior to the launch of the new ESPN Fox Sports Network, Globosat will become the exclusive advertising sales representative for all Brazilian-based advertisers. ESPN will be the sales representative for the venture outside of Brazil, except for programming supplied to the venture by Fox Sports.
This agreement marks the second time ESPN Inc. has partnered with a Fox Sports-related entity to launch a sports network. In November 1996, ESPN entered into a joint venture with STAR TV in Asia called ESPN STAR Sports.
Based in Bristol, Connecticut, USA, ESPN, Inc., is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.
Formed in 1991, Globosat is Brazil´s leading pay TV broadcasting network, with 19 channels (four in Portugal). Based in Rio de Janeiro, Globosat is 100% owned by the Globo Organization.
Based in Los Angeles, California, USA, Fox Sports International is an international sports programming and production entity housed within the recently-established Fox Cable Networks Group, one of the major operatingunits within the Fox Entertainment Group (NYSE: FOX) and News Corporation (NYSE: NWS).
Contacts:
ESPN Chris Bellitti
212.916.9889
chris.bellitti@espn.com
Globosat Ricardo Braga
551130642915
ricardo@artpresse.com.br
Fox Sports International Tom Tyrer
310.966.6333
ttyrer@foxcable.com