2018 Fifa World Cup. Startimes acquires broadcast rights

StarTimes Vice President Mr. Mark Lisboa (left) and the company’s Public Relations Managerwhen the company announced the acquisition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup broadcast rights. on April 12, 2017. [Standard]

Football fans in Kenya will be spoiled for choice during the Russia 2018 football bonanza as global giant StarTimes Media announced its acquisition of next year’s Fifa World Cup broadcast rights.

The rapidly expanding Chinese pay TV media said they had acquired rights to all the 64 Fifa World Cup matches in addition to other properties of the football body. The acquisition secures World Cup transmission rights for exploitation in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa alongside this year’s Fifa age-group women and men football tournaments.

While making the announcement, StarTimes Vice President Mark Lisboa said the acquisition of these media rights is a milestone that will enable more Kenyan households enjoy access to the prestigious tournaments through the company’s affordable pay television platform.

“We are delighted to secure the broadcast rights to the 2018 World Cup, a tournament that every soccer fan across the globe looks forward to every four years, the fact that StarTimes will bring this showpiece to Kenyan households is a great breakthrough as it demonstrates our progressive commitment to provide access to premium content at the most affordable subscription costs,” Mr Lisboa said.

StarTimes is set to broadcast all the 64 World Cup matches live, a first for the broadcaster having made significant inroads towards securing major sports properties where the company currently broadcasts the Bundesliga, Serie A as well as the Chinese Super league exclusively.

The various Fifa tournaments are therefore a strong addition to the company’s offerings as it seeks to stamp its authority in the broadcast of key sporting events.