FIC to Acquire Setanta Africa

CANNES: FOX International Channels (FIC) is in the final stages of acquiring Setanta Africa Services, a sports channel bouquet present across sub-Saharan Africa in more than 1 million homes.

The acquisition is complete subject to approval by the Irish Competition Authority.

Setanta Africa business broadcasts three sports channels: Setanta Africa, which is available in English and French; Zuku Sports in HD in East Africa; and the recently launched Setanta Action. The channels cover football leagues from around the world, rugby, mixed martial arts and other sporting events.

“The incorporation of Setanta Africa into our FIC Africa operation, which already includes leading entertainment, factual, lifestyle and children’s channels further reinforces our overall desire to invest and grow our presence in this rapidly expanding region," said Alessandro Tucci, the senior VP and general manager of FOX International Channels Africa. "Our commitment to deliver high quality content across all of our channels naturally extends to this new addition to our family.”

Michael O’Rourke, Setanta Africa’s chairman, added, “The channels will have a very exciting future in the hands of such an experienced and passionate sports operator.”

Frank Carrere, the senior VP of business development at FOX International Channels, commented, “Being opportunistic and disciplined in our expansion efforts over the past two years, we have taken Fox Sports internationally from 17 million to over 71 million homes. By that measure, and when you include our company’s U.S. sports portfolio, Fox has become the most widely distributed sports brand in the world today.”