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ASIA PACIFIC – November 26, 2013 – Within a year since its acquisition of the sports business, FOX International Channels (FIC) Asia, 21st Century FOX’s international multi-media business and Asia’s leading pay-TV network, has given its sports channels FOX Sports and STAR Sports a major boost with a focused strategy resulting in higher viewership and returns.
The integration of the most highly distributed sports network in Asia with FIC’s very successful bouquet of entertainment, factual and lifestyle channels is being achieved through a series of well-planned initiatives including the acquisition of signature sports events, the creation of localized sports hubs and new programming, FIC said in a press release.
Sports for all
FIC said it has secured the rights of some of the most exciting and popular events around the globe such as:
· Tennis (French Open): The latest multi-year acquisition of the French Open across all major markets in the region cements its position as the ‘Home of Tennis’, making it three out of four tennis Grand Slams as it already showcases The Championship, Wimbledon and The Australian Open across its networks.
· Football (Bundesliga): FOX Sports, through its parent company, 21st Century FOX, recently announced a mega global partnership under which football fans in Asia will be offered the most exciting and quality football from the very popular German league featuring top clubs like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, the respective current holders and runners-up of the UEFA Champions League.
· Golf (PGA Championship and World Golf Championship): Reinforcing its position as the singular destination for Golf in Asia with all four Golf Majors, FOX Sports recently showcased The PGA Championship. Adding to this, FOX Sports has recently acquired rights to the various events of the World Golf Championship across multiple markets.
· World Championship in Athletics: Looking at the growing interest for athletics in Asia, both in participation and viewership, FOX Sports has secured the rights to showcase the leading biennial event. Covering sports across various disciplines, this event features leading athletes from across the globe.
· Formula E (Motor sports): With the acquisition of the rights of this new FIA sanctioned auto racing event, FOX Sports gives motor sports fans one more reason to enjoy the speed rush in addition to its broadcast of F1, MotoGP, NASCAR and SuperBike.
· IBL (Badminton): It successfully acquired and recently broadcasted the inaugural season of Indian Badminton League featuring top players from the world and the region.
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FIC also said it has successfully created two new local sports hubs responsible for creating and distributing localized feeds. Since October 1, Taiwan has been broadcasting 3 dedicated sports channels in Mandarin as well as producing a Taiwan version of FOX Sports’ flagship news show FOX Sports Central. In addition, Hong Kong has also started to broadcast sports channels in High Definition from October 1st.
More engaging content
It recently re-launched its signature news program FOX Sports Central by almost doubling the content, making it seven days a week and a one-hour late night edition at 11 p.m. in addition to the 7 p.m. show. With many new exciting segments and richer content such as the recent ‘Asia Exclusive’ special interview with Sir Alex Ferguson, the new FOX Sports Central has been received very well by fans.
Anywhere, any place, any device
With an aim to deliver sports content across platforms and devices, FOX Sports Plus HD can now be accessed through mobile and through the internet.
Joon Lee, Executive Vice President of Content and Communications, Asia Pacific and Middle East at FOX International Channels said, “With the successful acquisition of multiple new rights of top tier sports properties, creation of multiple local sports hubs, and enhanced programming well ahead of plan, our sports business is in a significantly better position than we were at even six months ago. We are very well placed to continue to offer fans and our business partners the most comprehensive sports entertainment offering across the region”.
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