Foxtel Group extends partnership with ESPN

Australian pay TV operator Foxtel Group has extended its distribution agreement with sports entertainment brand ESPN, to continue to air its sport content on channels Foxtel and Kayo Sports.

The extended deal marks a 21-year partnership between the two companies. Foxtel will have access to select matches of ESPN wide portfolio of sport rights including National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Baseball (MLB), UFC and all marquee events across US College Sports.

ESPN is also Australia’s ‘Home of Hoops’ through its rights to the NBA, National Basketball League (NBL), FIBA competitions (including the upcoming 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup), WNBA, WNBL and US College Basketball.

ESPN also provides Foxtel with its huge catalogue of original programming, including flagship studio shows like SportsCenter, First Take, Pardon The Interruption, NBA Today and NFL Primetime, along with documentaries and special features, including ESPN Films 30 for 30 catalogue.

Foxtel Group executive director – commercial, sport Rebecca McCloy, said: “We are proud to be the home of Australia’s biggest and most popular sports through Foxtel and Kayo Sports – it’s great news for our millions of sports subscribers that this deal will ensure they continue to have access to the best of ESPN’s world-class sports.

“We know how popular ESPN’s coverage of sports like the NBA, NFL and MLB is with our subscribers. This deal complements long-term rights agreements we have with the National Rugby League, Cricket Australia, the Australian Football League, Supercars Australia, the PGA of Australia, Netball Australia and many others – which show that we truly are the home of Australia’s most popular local and global sports.

“These rights, and the strength and quality of coverage from Fox Sports and partners like ESPN, is continuing to drive the growth of our award-winning streaming service Kayo Sports – which now has more than 1.3 million subscribers.”

The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand SVP & MD, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, said: “This multi-year deal provides Australian sports fans with access to a comprehensive slate of ESPN programming, including our award-winning films, flagship studio shows and extensive major sport properties.

“ESPN is the global sports leader with coverage of the world’s biggest sporting events, like the 2023 NFL Super Bowl which delivered a record-breaking audience for the network locally. Viewership is growing strongly across NBA and NFL programming and attracting a highly desirable audience aged 39 or younger.”