Two important agreements – for China and India – were finalised yesterday by KirchSport AG, the company responsible for the global marketing and sales of the broadcast rights to the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups.

In China, CCTV – China’s state broadcaster – has signed an agreement covering the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups; the largest sports agreement in the network’s history.

The fact that China has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time is expected to set the country alight and boost audience figures in China to record levels, as millions of Chinese football fans follow their national team.

CCTV will also act as the Host Broadcaster to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will take place in China in 2003. Women’s soccer is a fast-growing sport in China and tremendously popular.

The agreement with India, also concluded yesterday, means that soccer fans can see all 64 matches live and exclusive on TEN SPORTS. The agreement which covers only the 2002 FIFA World Cup was reached with Taj Television Ltd., a cable and satellite broadcaster, the parent company of TEN SPORTS, which was launched only on April 1st this year.

The contract covers all cable, satellite and terrestrial rights. Some key matches may also be sub-licensed on a delayed basis. Oliver Seibert, Head of Television at KirchSport, said, ‘We are delighted with both of these agreements, which will help to deliver record audiences in China and India and give Asian fans the best-ever viewing opportunities of this great event.’

Both agreements were signed with KirchSport AG’s subsidiary company, KirchMedia WM GmbH, the rightsholding company for these respective World Cup rights.

For further information please contact:

KirchSport AG
John Kristick
T: +41-41-723 15 15
F: +41-41-723 15 16
W: www.kirchsport.com