The four-year FA package covers exclusive broadcast rights to all FA Cup matches, the FA Community Shield, all senior and Under-21 England national team home matches from seasons 2004/5 to 2007/8 including all friendly matches, World Cup and European Championship qualifiers.
Commented ESS managing director, Rik Dovey: "The conclusion of this agreement is of vital strategic importance as we continue to deliver top-flight programming to viewers across Asia.
"This package of programming is clearly of a very select class of football programming, showcasing not just the world’s number one Club Cup competition but the England team as well - the most closely followed football team in Asia, if not the world. Our strategy is to have the key sport viewers want – this competition fits.
"Key to this acquisition was the fact that rights holders like The FA clearly recognise that we have the best distribution of any sports network in Asia and appreciate the value we bring to their properties. On air, we will present the sport with first-class production values using our facilities in the UK and Asia to dramatically improve the presentation of the competition and so enhance viewer appreciation."
This deal means that more than 128 million households across Asia will get to watch the FA match package on ESS’s 11 services, which broadcasts to 25 countries including China, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Korea.
Jonathan Hill, The FA’s Group commercial director, added: "We are delighted to be able to announce our partnership with ESS who we firmly believe will deliver excellent exposure for both the England team and the FA Cup in the key Asian markets that it covers.
"With the new Wembley stadium due for completion in early 2006 we believe we will deliver to Asian viewers world-class football in a world-class setting. This deal also continues the long tradition of Asian interest in the FA Cup and in particular the traditional May Final."
In all, ESS will deliver more than 300 hours of match coverage and related support programming including highlights, features and interstitials.
