MUMBAI: Sports broadcaster ESPN has announced that its channel ESPN Classic Sport which brings to life memorable sporting moments of the past will launch in Belgium from 10 January 2005.

The broadcaster has signed a carriage deal secured with Belgian cable operator Telenet.

Telenet will offer ESPN Classic Sport everyday. Dutch subtitles will also be available. In Belgium, Telenet is one of the largest suppliers of broadband cable services, passing over 1.5 million homes in Flanders.

ESPN Classic Sport’s programme highlights for 2005 include a profile of five-times Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx, as well as a major Winter Olympic Games special showcasing moments from a variety of skiing greats including Franz Klammer, Hermann Maier and Alberto Tomba. ESPN Classic Sport’s lineup covers 80 different sports, which are scheduled to complement live sports events.

To boost brand awareness amongst viewers in Flanders, ESPN Classic Sport has designed a customised Belgian website (www.espnclassicsport.be), which will include information about forthcoming shows and events, as well as great competitions and prizes.

ESPN Classic Sport had recently launched in Germany and Portugal. It now claims to be available in 38 countries. In total, ESPN Classic Sport claims to be available to more than 15 million European households.