The Fox International Channels division of US network Fox will launch Fox Sports Japan, a new sports channel for the country, in March 2013 with coverage of Japanese baseball games.
Fox Sports Japan has acquired rights for live coverage of home games involving three Japan-based baseball teams that compete in the Pacific League. The channel will show league games and other home fixtures involving the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, the Chiba Lotte Marines, and the Orix Buffaloes.
The channel will also offer exclusive coverage of the English FA Cup football competition and broadcasts of other top-flight European football leagues, including the German Bundesliga, English Premier League and Italian Serie A.
Fox International Channels will own 60 per cent of the Tokyo-based channel, with video content services company TV Bank controlling the remaining 40 per cent.
“Together with TV Bank’s proven strength in Internet and mobile video delivery, Fox Japan and TV Bank will provide a new kind of integrated multimedia broadcast service that leverages their mutual strengths in broadcasting and communication,” Fox International Channels said.