ESPN “unveiled a partnership with Kwesé, the sports network arm of African telecom and pay-TV operator Econet, that will bring content” from ESPN to the region, according to Georg Szalai of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Financial details were not disclosed. ESPN “has been looking to boost its international profile via deals with strong regional or local partners.” Among them are “deals with Sony in India, Tencent in China and BT Sport in the U.K.” In Africa, ESPN “previously had an ESPN and ESPN Classic channel, but they were closed” in ‘13. The new deal “takes effect” in early ‘17 with “the launch of an ESPN channel in 19 countries, which will be exclusive to Kwesé.” ESPN will also “produce daily SportsCenter updates for Africa, bringing the sports news and highlights brand to the channel.” By mid-‘17, ESPN and Kwesé will together “launch an African edition of the ESPN web site and mobile app.” The new KweseESPN.com, and its accompanying app, will “combine ESPN’s coverage of global sports with local African sports coverage from Kwesé” (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 10/25).