Digitaltveurope.com

Eleven Sports has partnered with IMG in the UK and Ireland for the launch of two new sports channels, which will include live rights to Serie A and LaLiga football. 

Eleven Sports 1 and Eleven Sports 2 will launch this August in the UK and Ireland via a forthcoming online streaming platform from Eleven, with more premium rights due to be announced soon for the sports service.

The broadcaster has secured Serie A rights on a three-year agreement starting with the upcoming 2018/19 season. It also has LaLiga rights for a three-season spell.

Eleven Sports 1 will be dedicated to football, while Eleven Sports 2 will broadcast fight sports, eSports, extreme sports and any additional football coverage.

IMG is taking a minority stake in Eleven Sports’ new channels and will produce the output for both channels from its production headquarters at Stockley Park.

“With more top-tier rights to come in addition to Serie A and LaLiga, Eleven Sports’ entry in to the UK and Ireland has changed the market dynamics,” said Marc Watson, executive chairman and group CEO, Eleven Sports.

“History has shown new rivals bring innovation and fresh thinking to the ways in which premium sports action is produced, packaged and distributed for fans.”

Serie A president, Gaetano Miccichè, said: “We have worked very successfully with Eleven Sports in the last three years to take world-class Serie A action to football fans in several markets around the world.”

“We are delighted to continue our partnership in the UK and Ireland and we are looking forward to being a big part of Eleven’s sport focused strategy that will place us at the forefront of their innovative offer in what is a very important market for Serie A.”