FIC, Euroleague Basketball to extend coverage

17 Oct 2013

FOX International Channels (FIC) and Euroleague Basketball have signed a four-year broadcasting agreement that will bring the fast-paced excitement of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague to basketball fans throughout Europe and Africa.

FIC, Euroleague Basketball to extend coverage

The deal provides the network with exclusive rights to broadcast live games and highlights on FIC channels in different European markets, as well as non-exclusive rights in sub-Saharan Africa.

Italy and Poland will become the first FIC Europe's markets to benefit from the deal, exclusively broadcasting live games involving their respective local teams: Montepaschi Siena and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Italy; and Stelmet Zielona Góra in Poland. In addition, FIC have acquired the exclusive rights to the remainder of the week's games.

At least one weekly game

Basketball fans in sub-Saharan Africa will also be able to watch their favourite Euroleague action, with at least one weekly game set to be broadcast live on the region's sports channel, Setanta Africa (currently in the process of being acquired by FIC).

This new broadcasting agreement with FIC is the latest move by Euroleague Basketball to help spread the 'I Feel Devotion' motto - the league's official motto - throughout Europe and beyond. Euroleague games are currently broadcast at least weekly to nearly 200 countries on five continents.

High-end production standards

Andrea Bassani chief Television & New Media Rights officer, Euroleague Basketball, said: "We are delighted to welcome an organisation the size of FIC to Euroleague Basketball through this multi-territory agreement. We are sure that the fans will enjoy elite basketball with FOX's' typical high-end production standards in a season that will reach its climax with the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four in Milan, Italy - one of FOX Sports's territories, and a prime event for FIC to showcase its top quality basketball coverage."

Diego Londoño, chief operating officer (COO) of FOX international Channels Europe & Africa said: "Over the course of this year, sports content has taken on an increasingly pivotal role in FIC's European and African portfolio. But this exciting deal with Euroleague elevates our sports coverage to another level. It not only broadens the variety of content we offer to our passionate sports fans around the world, it also reinforces FIC's total commitment to offering the most diverse, high-quality television content to meet the demands of our sophisticated global audience."