ESS Sets Up Korean Sports Channel with SBS

SINGAPORE: ESPN STAR Sports and SBS Media Holdings are launching a new joint venture in Korea, SBS ESPN, which will feature local and international sports programming.

The new channel will deliver live and exclusive coverage of sporting events such as the Barclays Premier League, Scottish Premier League, French League, Asian Football Confederation (AFC); major Tennis Grand Slams in the Wimbledon and Australian Open in addition to the WTA Tour; as well as The US Open Championship, NCAA Basketball and International Skating Union events, among others. SBS ESPN will also feature local sports such as Korean football, basketball and baseball leagues. The channel will be broadcast entirely in Korean.

Manu Sawhney, ESPN STAR Sports’ managing director, commented: “We are very pleased to partner with SBS to enhance the overall experience of sports fans with the most comprehensive sports offering. It is always our endeavor to showcase the best sporting content from around the world to fans in the most entertaining, engaging and localized manner and we were very heartened that SBS too strongly shares this belief with us. This association with SBS reinforces our commitment to sports fans in Korea and we look forward to work closely with them to bring in more compelling and relevant offerings for fans in the market.”

Ha Kum Loul, SBS Media Holdings’ CEO and president, said: “We are excited about this venture with ESS. It is enhances our quality of services to Korean viewers as well as reinforces our reach to the world sports market. Given ESS and SBS’s vast experience and impressive records, both regionally and globally, we’re confident that SBS ESPN will continue to develop sports events and properties for sports fans.”