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MUMBAI:
ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has bagged the rights for FIFA's international
football events including the 2010 FIFA World Cup for the
Indian sub-continent.
ESS
made the winning bid at around $44 million, according to industry
sources. Ten Sports had bid $35 million. The difference in
the two bids of $9 million was approximately what ESS paid
for the 2006 edition.
Under
the terms of the agreement, ESS will show over 275 international football games
including the earlier mentioned 2010 FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations
Cup both to be held for the first time on African soil in South Africa.
In addition, ESS will bring other FIFA World Cup events for men, women, youth,
Futsal and Beach Soccer to fans in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives,
Bhutan and Nepal.
ESS
adds that it has proved itself to be the right partner for FIFA in the Indian
sub-continent and has continued its partnership with the world's governing body
of football after the broadcasts of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. With
the production and transmission of over 100 hours of original content, the 2006
FIFA World Cup it claims was watched by over 50 million people in India alone
through its broadcast, which was a 44 per cent increase on the 2002 edition. ESS
says that the 2010 edition is expected to once again captivate soccer fans as
32 teams get ready to battle for the coveted trophy in South Africa from 11 June-
11 July 2010. Its
coverage will include live matches accompanied by English and Hindi commentary
for all 64 games - daily pre-shows during match days, a daily review show as well
as special lead-up programming. ESS
MD Manu Sawhney says, "We are extremely delighted to continue our partnership
with FIFA with whom we share a very special relationship. This agreement is a
testament to our commitment of building the game of football by presenting it
in the most innovative and entertaining manner to millions of fans in the Indian
subcontinent." ESPN
Software India MD RC Venkateish says, "ESPN Star Sports has played a key
role in propagating international soccer in India and the results have begun to
show. Soccer viewership has shown a consistent increase. For instance, the reach
of Barclays Premier League has grown at more than 40 per cent per annum since
2005. "The
broadcast rights of over 275 international football games including the 2010 FIFA
World Cup will ensure that Indian soccer enthusiasts will continue to get world
class soccer action on their TV screens." FIFA
president Joseph S Blatter said, "I am proud that today with ESPN-Star-Sports
an important key player in the sports industry is joining the FIFA family to further
enhance football across its platforms in the Sub-Indian region. "The
fact that ESPN Star Sports is entering in its record deal in Indian market, underlines
its commitment to football. It ensures that images of our events including the
2010 FIFA World Cup will be seen by the widest possible audience across Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - steadily growing
football markets. It is a major milestone in our history and the football in the
entire region will undoubtedly benefit from this deal sealed today." | 
