by FOX International Channels
BERLIN – FOX International Channels (FIC), has inked a new exclusive, multi-year agreement with Major League Baseball International for rights to MLB games across 30 European territories.
The new deal kicks off with the 2013 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals but will include rights for all upcoming MLB games, including the All-Star Game, Home Run Derby, wild card matchups, Divisional Series and League Championship Series across multiple platforms. The games will go out on FIC’s sports speciality channels, which FIC has been expanding in Europe. FOX Sports recently launched in the Netherlands and Italy and is also on air in Turkey and Cyprus.
“The relationship with Fox International Channels allows us to expand our relationship with Fox and is an exciting development for our business in Europe,” said Paul Archey, svp of International Business Operations at Major League Baseball. “This deal exemplifies the growing popularity of baseball across Europe and will provide increased access to telecasts for our many passionate fans.”
This agreement with Major League Baseball International is the latest in series of recent deals by FIC to pick up multi-territory rights for sports properties. The division of 21st Century Fox recently inked similar agreements for international rights to the NFL and Euroleague Basketball.
