In an attempt to extend its reach across sub-Saharan African, the world governing body for basketball, FIBA has signed an exclusive media rights deal with Africa`s leading pay TV operator -StarTimes. FIBA confirmed this agreement earlier today in a press statement.
"We are so glad to offer the very best of national team basketball to our subscribers in Africa by having secured the broadcasting rights for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and all other leading events for the period 2017-2021. We are particularly excited to offer basketball fans in the region the chance to follow their favorite teams as they compete in the Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Continental Cups 2021." - Vincent Yu, StarTimes Media Division Chief Operating Officer
The free and pay transmission rights cover all territories of Sub-Saharan Africa with over 40 countries including Angola, Senegal, South Africa, Mauritius and Nigeria. The FIBA events covered in the 5 year deal include;
1. FIBA AfroBasket 2017;
2. FIBA Women`s AfroBasket 2017;
3. FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and its Qualifiers;
4. FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments for Men and Women 2020;
5. FIBA Women`s Basketball World Cup 2018;
6. All remaining FIBA Continental Cups 2017 (FIBA AmeriCup, FIBA Asia Cup, FIBA EuroBasket, FIBA Women`s AmeriCup and FIBA Women`s Asia Cup);
7. FIBA Continental Cups 2021 and their Qualifiers;
8. All FIBA Women`s Continental Cups in 2019 and 2021;
9. FIBA U19 Basketball World Cups for Men and Women in 2019 and 2021; and
10. FIBA U17 Basketball World Cups for Men and Women in 2018 and 2020.
This partnership is vital to the promotion of FIBA New Calendar which starts this year and also strategic towards the growth of the sport in the continent as Startimes currently serves nearly 10 million subscribers through Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and Direct to Homes (DTH) platforms with 480 authorized channels.
"Thanks to this partnership with StarTimes, the extent of our reach across Sub-Saharan African is bigger than ever before and we can cater to the millions of enthusiastic basketball fans. Having the very best of our national team competitions broadcast in the region will go a long way towards growing our sport`s popularity and participation." - FIBA Secretary General, Patrick Baumann
The 2017 Afrobasket is scheduled to hold from September 8 - 16 while the Women`s Afrobasketball tips off in Mali on 18th August. The Nigerian team will participate in both events.
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