ESPN AWARDED MOBILE RIGHTS FOR BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE IN UK

Tue 6th Apr 2010 | IT & Technology

 ESPN are delighted to announce that they have been awarded the exclusive mobile highlight rights to all 380 Barclays Premier League matches per season over the next 3 seasons.  The rights will allow ESPN, also a Barclays Premier League television partner, to deliver in-match, post-match and customized highlights, including goals, to football fans in the UK.

Said Lynne Frank, senior vice president and managing director, ESPN – Europe, the Middle East and Africa, “Mobile devices are an indispensible lifeline for football fans, who expect easy, quick access to the latest goals and action wherever they are.  Adding these rights will allow us to advance our commitment to delivering great sport across the many screens UK fans use each day. Since we launched ESPN in the UK less than 250 days ago, we have been dedicated to building the foundation of a long-term relationship with UK sports fans. This is another big step in that process.”

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said, “ESPN’s purchase of Barclays Premier League mobile clip rights demonstrates their commitment to the competition and the fans. Mobile is an increasingly important technology as hand held devices become ever more sophisticated, therefore a good offering with a strong partner is important to us both in terms of accessibility and complementing live coverage.”

ESPN will announce specific plans and products that utilize these rights and connect fans to the Barclays Premier League in the weeks ahead. The new products and services will join ESPN’s growing mobile platform that includes mobile web sites for ESPN.co.uk, ESPNSoccernet, ESPNCricinfo, ESPNScrum and ESPNF1, as well as apps.

The rights are the latest addition to ESPN’s multimedia portfolio, and will complement the company’s television and online properties in the UK. 

On television, from next season ESPN and ESPN HD will feature live and exclusive coverage of 23 Barclays Premier League matches, 25 FA Cup matches, 43 Guinness Premiership rugby matches, 30 Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches, 27 UEFA Europa League matches, German Bundesliga, the NFL’s Monday Night Football, UFC, AFL, French Top 14 rugby, DTM, and much more. 

ESPN’s television business also includes ESPN America - the only European channel dedicated to North American sport, and ESPN Classic – dedicated to celebrating the history, heritage and passion of sport.

Online, ESPN’s portfolio of industry-leading sites includes top news and information sites ESPN.co.uk, ESPNCricinfo.com, ESPNSoccernet.com, ESPNScrum.com, ESPNF1.com as well as broadband service ESPN Player.

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