(16 August 2012 9:30 am)

MUMBAI: Footer lovers rejoice. Sports TV network ESPN which previewed its multi-platform, multi-language and multi-country global football brand, ESPNFC during Euro 2012, yesterday announced its full-fledged launch. The debut comes ahead of the start of the Barclays Premier League and other major European leagues. ESPNFC will cover all major leagues and competitions worldwide for the first time and will expand to TV and mobile in India. It succeeds its UK brand ESPNsoccernet.

In India, ESPNFC has added to the company’s leading digital sports portfolio, which also includes ESPNcricinfo, ESPN.com and numerous other sites and mobile products.

On mobile, a new ESPNFC app has been launched giving fans access to its content wherever they are, available on Apple, Windows Phone and Android handsets. Key features of the new ESPNFC application include personalisation, allowing football fans to personalise by their favourite leagues, teams and tournaments, and, exclusive video and audio from ESPN’s various studio-based discussion and analysis shows.

On TV, its global multi-platform football debate and discussion show ESPNsoccernet PressPass becomes ESPNFC PressPass. The football discussion show that looks, daily, at the global game with a global perspective, the show features panellists and contributors from around the world of football - including Shaka Hislop, Robbie Mustoe, Steve Nicol, Frank LeBoeuf and Jorge Ramos. Reflecting the cross-platform nature of ESPNFC, both TV and digital content will be heavily integrated to highlight major club news and analysis across all screens. Furthermore, the editorial agenda of both the TV show and web companion content will be closely aligned. Also tonight, the show makes its debut on ESPN television in the US. Previously available online in the US, the show will be available six days a week (weekdays plus Sundays) on ESPNews. Press Pass first debuted in September 2002 on ESPN International’s English-speaking networks. It can now be seen in over 107 countries and territories around the world.

ESPNFC will also provide new and unique, customizable digital opportunities for marketers who can work with ESPN to reach football fans on both a global and regional scale using ESPN’s worldwide sales teams. Online and on mobile, ESPNFC will have the ability to detect where a fan is accessing content, and deliver locally relevant coverage for that region. At launch, ESPNFC will launch in English and Spanish and will evolve over time to serve multiple languages.

Says Arne Rees, vice president of international digital media for ESPN International: “ESPN is making a big statement with today’s launch of ESPNFC. We are committed to the global game with a global, cross-media brand to cover it 24/7. ESPNFC aims to serve fans by being the leading destination for definitive football coverage worldwide and year-round whenever and wherever fans want it.”