Fox International Channels (FIC) is in the final stages of acquiring the sports channel bouquet Setanta Africa Services Limited, which is distributed to over one million homes throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
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 many other attractive sporting events.
Commenting on the acquisition, which is subject to approval by the Irish Competition Authority, Alessandro Tucci, Sr. VP and GM of Fox International Channels Africa, said: “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. 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, SVP business development of FIC, said: “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 US sports portfolio, Fox has become the most widely distributed sports brand in the world today.”
