Pan-Asian sports broadcaster ESPN Star Sports has acquired exclusive rights for coverage of the FA Cup, the top knockout football tournament in England, and England national team matches in a six-year deal, from 2012-13 to 2017-18.
Under the deal, which covers India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan and Nepal, ESPN Star Sports will also show all senior and U-21 England matches and the pre-season FA Community Shield game between the FA Cup and Premier League winners, as well as the FA Cup from the first round. The rights cover television, internet and mobile platforms.
The broadcaster struck the deal with the MP & Silva agency, which sells the Football Association’s rights in Asia.
“The FA Cup was seen in India long before the Premier League and the other European leagues, and we’re very proud to be able to continue the tradition,” ESPN Star Sports managing director Peter Hutton said.
Stuart Turner, group commercial director at the FA, the governing body of football in England, added: “We are excited to work with ESPN Star Sports who will continue to provide excellent exposure for the England team and the FA Cup on a multi-platform basis in key Asian markets. These markets are important to us and we’re going to be putting together some exciting initiatives in India in particular, including bringing the FA Cup out to the sub-continent.”