ESPN Inks New Broadband Agreements for Global Soccer Coverage

ESPN has
reached two new agreements, with Setanta Sports and IMG Sports Media, to expand
the network’s broadband coverage of global soccer. The Setanta sports deal
brings live coverage of England’s
Football League and Carling Cup Tournaments, while the IMG Sports Media
agreement delivers coverage of
Australia’s
Hyundai A-League soccer matches, all through ESPN’s broadband platform,
ESPN360.com.
“We
have established ESPN360.com as one of the leading destinations for
U.S.
fans of global soccer,” said Damon Phillips, vice president, ESPN360.com. “Adding
matches from the Football League and Carling Cup to our lineup further adds to
that leadership and adding the A-League to our lineup serves our viewers
another of the world’s leading leagues.”

Through the agreement with Setanta, fans can watch nearly 100 English soccer
matches live and on demand on ESPN360.com, including up to two Football League
matches per week (totaling up to 84 matches this season). Football League
playoff and final matches will also be available, as will five matches from
rounds 1-5, four semi-final matches and the finals from Carling Cup
competition.

Setanta viewers can see the matches on Setanta’s 24/7 residential channel and
their premium service for businesses.
The IMG
Sports Media agreement offers live coverage of up to 84 regular-season matches
from Football Federation Australia’s Hyundai A-League, as well as up to six
playoff matches, including the Grand Final.
ESPN will also stream select games on ESPN Mobile TV, its 24 hour mobile television network.