Fetch TV and ESPN today confirmed a multi-year extension to their channel distribution agreement, covering ESPN and ESPN2. The ESPN channels have been available on Fetch since 2012.
ESPN is renowned globally as having the best in US sports coverage through its rights agreements with NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and the UFC. The channels will continue to deliver the best in US live sport as well as its leading studio commentary shows including SportsCenter, NBA Today, NFL Primetime, as well as acclaimed ESPN ‘30 for 30’ documentaries and special features.
Kylie Watson Wheeler, Senior Vice President & Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand said:
“We’re excited to extend our long-standing relationship with Fetch TV, which serves Fetch viewers with access to our comprehensive slate of ESPN programming, flagship studio shows and extensive major sport properties.”
“We have a huge summer of programming ahead on ESPN, including the NFL playoffs and 2024 Super Bowl. Combined with the NBA Finals, NHL, MLB, UFC, and every game of the NBL, ESPN has the world’s biggest sporting moments covered for sports fans to enjoy.”
Sam Hall, Chief Content and Commercial Officer at Fetch TV said:
“We are thrilled to announce the extension of our long-running agreement with ESPN for carriage of the ESPN and ESPN2 channels, which remain top performers on the Fetch platform. ESPN is the go-to media outlet for premium US sports including the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, and the ESPN channels are particularly strong during the Aussie summer months.”
“Fetch offers Australian sports fans a compelling selection of sports content including ESPN’s world leading coverage of US sport, great coverage of local and international sport available from the Free To Air networks, and additional subscription sports content from the likes of beIN Sports, Optus Sport, Stan Sport, Paramount Plus and Prime Video. It’s been a great year for Sport, and Fetch customers have had a box seat… on the couch.”
Fetch subscribers can view ESPN channels live or on demand, and can use “start over” for the majority of linear channel programmes on TV, or on the Fetch Mobi App. They can also access the ESPN app which is included free to ESPN subscribers via Fetch.
Fetch continues to offer compelling channel packs, with the ESPN channels available in for Vibe Pack (10 channels for $6pm), and in the Ultimate Pack (45 channels for $20pm).
About Fetch
Fetch TV partners with leading Internet Service Providers and major retailers to provide subscribers with a box based, internet delivered entertainment aggregation platform for viewing on TV and mobile devices. The Fetch product proposition is based on ‘All your entertainment, easy”, with all design and development occurring in-house in Australia. The Fetch service provides seamless integrated access to Free-to-Air TV channels and BVOD apps, subscription channels, FAST channels, YouTube, and SVOD. The service also offers TV and Movie Stores with over 10,000 titles from all the major studios. Following an investment by Telstra Group Limited in 2022, Fetch TV operates as a joint venture between Telstra (51.4%) and Astro Holdings. Fetch currently services 600,000 households, and in 2023 will start migrating the 800,000 Telstra TV base to Fetch. ISP partners include Telstra, TPG / iiNet, Optus, Vocus, and Aussie Broadband. Retail distribution partners include JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys and more. SVOD apps include Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Paramount Plus, Stan, Hayu, and more. Fetch.com.au
About ESPN
In Australia and New Zealand ESPN operates the ESPN and ESPN2 sports television networks, distributed on the Foxtel, Fetch, Kayo Sports and Sky platforms. We deliver over 10,000 hours of live events and studio programming each year, with a broadcast rights portfolio that includes NBA, NFL, UFC, MLB, NHL, NBL and much more. In addition, the ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ACC Network and SEC Networks are available to stream via the ESPN App.
ESPN networks feature some of the most respected and recognizable sports anchors and reporters on the globe, with names like Scott Van Pelt, Stephen A Smith, Doris Burke, Adrian Wojnarowski, Pat McAfee and more.
