StarTimes bags World Cup rights


By Content Nigeria reporter
November 21, 2017

News

StarTimes TV Nigeria has picked up broadcast rights to the 2018 Fifa World Cup football tournament, which takes place in Russia next summer.

StarTimes TV will, for the first time, exclusively broadcast live World Cup fixtures across Sub-Saharan Africa – except South Africa – from June 15 to July 16.

The matches will be carried by five of the pay TV operator’s sports channels; Sports Premium, World Premium, Sports Arena, Sports Life and Sports Focus.

Jay Jay Okocha, Simi and CEO Justin Zhang at the StarTimes event

The local broadcast rights to the 2014 World Cup, which saw hosts Brazil lose to Germany, were held by Nigerian broadcaster Optima Sports Management International.

StarTimes’ deal with Fifa covers the rights to broadcast not only Russia 2018 but all of Fifa’s other tournaments. The pay TV company confirmed the news to business partners and advertisers at an event on Friday.

Held at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, the exclusive event was attended by staff and managers of StarTimes TV and movers and shakers in the TV business, sports and entertainment industries.

Guests included Nigerian ex-footballer Jay Jay Okocha and top artist Simi, who performed at the launch.

In celebration of its Russia 2018 World Cup broadcasting partnership, StarTimes TV handed out prizes ranging from StarTimes LED TVs to smartphones and half a year’s worth of subscription bouquets.

Hosting the event was Lolo of Wazobia FM. Many attendees added their signatures to the StarTimes banner placed on the gray carpet.

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