FIC signs OTT deals to broaden Fox Sports’ reach in Asia

The Fox International Channels broadcast division of media company 21st Century Fox has linked up with several Asian media companies to make its Fox Sports content available on an OTT basis in the region.

The initiative will make content from Fox Sports, Fox and National Geographic available through streaming platforms, with the Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian and Filipino markets included in the initial roll-out.

FIC has signed partnerships with Japanese entertainment group Avex, Chinese internet company Tencent and its OTT partners, Malaysian pay-television operator Astro and pay-television provider Cignal in the Philippines. Under the terms of the deals, FIC will make its channels and content available via these partners’ SVOD, streaming and catch-up services.

Zubin Gandevia, president of Fox International Channels Asia Pacific and the Middle East, said: “The online, on-demand opportunity is the new frontier and we hope our innovative new products will help our partners tap into a new segment of consumers who do not have pay TV today.”

Fox Sports Asia last week secured a new rights deal for the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts series. The deal covers multiple platforms across Fox Sport’s Asian operations, but excludes the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan.