KINGSTON, Jamaica – International Media Content (IMC) to has acquired the broadcast and distribution rights in Jamaica for Fox Soccer Channel, which will be re-branded Fox Soccer Channel Jamaica.
As part of the agreement, IMC will be able to place local and regional content and commercial inventory on Fox Soccer Channel Jamaica, as well as market and distribute Fox Soccer Channel Jamaica to cable operators via its satellite network.
The relationship also opens up an avenue for IMC to develop local and regional programming on Fox Soccer Channel Jamaica, with the potential for broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel in North America. “This is major for us as we look to expand our operations and a major move for the Jamaican sporting landscape to expand its reach outside of Jamaica,” said Newton Robertson, Chief Operating Officer of SportsMax.
“The agreement solidifies our position as it pairs the two most-watched local sports channels, and gives IMC an opportunity to broadcast our local and regional content into the USA and Canadian markets. SportsMax will invest in our local talent and work with local producers to ensure that our productions meet international broadcasting quality standards.”
The teaming of SportsMax with Fox Soccer Channel Jamaica will further SportsMax’s position as the dominant local sports cable offering. Together, the two channels will be the exclusive broadcasters of major international televised sports in Jamaica, including exclusive coverage of the Barclays English Premier League, the FA Cup, EURO 2008 qualifiers and England home international matches.
“Our strategy has always been to establish Fox Soccer Channel as the premier television destination for soccer in North America and the Caribbean,” stated David Sternberg, executive vice president and general manager of Fox Soccer Channel. “With IMC’s proven business model and complementary content to Fox Soccer Channel, we look forward to providing the Jamaican television audience with the world-class soccer programming it demands.”
SportsMax will twin its channel with Fox Soccer Channel Jamaica and offer the two channels via subscription through cable operators starting October 1, 2006. Through cable operators island-wide, cable subscribers will order the two channels for a monthly subscription fee.
SportsMax President & CEO Oliver McIntosh explained, “The decision to offer the Channels via a subscription package is in line with other top international sports channels such as Sky Sports in the UK, Super Sport in South Africa and Ten Sport in Asia. Channels like ours focus less and are less dependent on the advertising market. Subscription revenues will allow SportsMax to continue to provide a high quality and quantity of international, regional and local sports, and to develop sports content for broadcast into North America.”
Aside from the English Premiership and FA Cup, Fox Soccer Channel Jamaica will broadcast Italian Serie A, Argentine League, CONCACAF Champions Cup and the USA’s Major League Soccer, as well as the daily Sky Sports News and Fox Sports World Report. SportsMax, which broadcasts to 17 countries in the Caribbean, exclusively broadcasts programs such as the Overseas West Indies cricket tours, the upcoming Ashes: Australia vs. England, EURO 2008 qualifiers, the South American COPA America and the IAAF Grand Prix.
