Econet Media’s Kwesé Sports and ESPN launched an exclusive ESPN channel on the Kwesé TV bouquet. This collaboration marks the return of ESPN to the African continent. The channel will deliver comprehensive sports coverage on the continent. Along with live sports, the channel introduces original programming including an African edition of SportsCenter. In addition to launching the ESPN channel, Kwesé and ESPN will launch an African edition of the ESPN website and mobile app later this year (ESPN).
The English Premier League "won a court order to block illegal streaming" of football games on "so-called" IPTV, or Kodi, boxes. Judge Richard Arnold approved the application Wednesday, meaning companies including TalkTalk Telecom Group and BT Group "can cut off illegal streaming" of EPL matches (BLOOMBERG, 3/8).
Lagardère Sports secured an agreement for two Int'l Swimming Federation (FINA) competitions to be broadcast in Latin America by Claro Sports through its multimedia platform. As part of the agreement, beginning in '17 the FINA Swimming World Cup and the FINA Diving World Series will be broadcast throughout Latin America, outside of Brazil, on Claro Sports (Lagardère Sports).
Football digital platform Dugout launched the company's first app -- giving football fans behind-the-scenes access and exclusive content. The app's release follows the launch of Dugout.com in November. Since then, 8 million users have joined the platform, which has drawn 13 million page views. Thirty-seven clubs have created their own pages (Dugout).
Fans can watch live World Surf League action on the WSL Facebook page. All Championship Tour events and Big Wave Tour events will be broadcast live. The '17 tour season kicks off in Australia during the Pro Gold Coast event from March 14-25 (WSL).
The second leg of the Champions League match between Paris St. Germain and Barcelona was broadcast live on pay-TV channel Canal+, and also aired on Canal-owned C8 “for one minute.” Canal decided to show a minute’s worth of the match to “entice viewers to follow the rest of the game on Canal+.” It is the first time an ad slot showed live coverage. Barcelona won the match 6-1 (LE FIGARO, 3/8).
