ESPN buy NASN (gotta love acroynms)

dulpit

ESPN TO ACQUIRE NASN



EUROPE’S NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS NETWORK WILL EXPAND ESPN’S PRESENCE IN REGION


LONDON – ESPN today announced it has agreed to acquire NASN, the only European channel dedicated to North American sports, from Setanta Sport Holdings Ltd and Benchmark Capital Europe. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, and the deal is expected to close early next year subject to regulatory approvals.

“Growing our business in Europe is a key strategic initiative for us," said Russell Wolff, managing director of ESPN International. “We expect NASN, which has performed well and created a unique market position, to be a strong addition to our portfolio. ESPN has a leadership position in sports media around the world, and we look forward to bringing the same passion, quality, excitement, and insightful journalism to sports fans in Europe."

Amory B. Schwartz, co-founder and chief executive of NASN said, “In four years, we have developed NASN from an inspiring idea to the home of North American sports in Europe, and the acquisition by ESPN is testimony to the soundness of our vision and execution. We are delighted to be part of ESPN which will help us continue to deliver the best sports programming for our viewers, and reach even more sports fans in Europe.”

NASN is the only network in Europe completely dedicated to North American Sports, airing over 800 live and as-live sports events each year. These include over 200 live games from the National Hockey League including the All-Star Game and every game of the Stanley Cup, 60 live National Football League games in certain markets including the playoffs and Super Bowl, and 250 live Major League Baseball games including the All-Star Game and World Series. Subscribers can also view college basketball action and the celebrated NCAA Tournament, as well as NCAA Football including the Bowl Championship Series. ESPN’s future plans include bringing ESPN branding to the network.

Setanta was a launch investor in NASN in October 2002 along with Vulcan European Media. In June 2005, Vulcan sold out to Setanta which then sold a 50% interest to Benchmark Capital Europe, the top-tier venture capital firm. Setanta and Benchmark focused their efforts over the past 18 months on helping NASN secure the best content and distribution deals across Europe. The channel today reaches over 6 million households in 26 European countries.

“This acquisition will allow us to accelerate our European television business which has grown rapidly since the launch of ESPN Classic in 2002,” said Lynne Frank, managing director of ESPN, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “NASN is a great fit for our company and we will continue to build on its success and appeal across some of the most vibrant multichannel markets in the world.”

Good news? Or not? Anybody know if it will stay in the Setanta package? Cos if it does then thats all sorts of class... However if it turns into someextra premium channel on its own then thats not so good... We'll see in the new year... My worry is that Setanta were completely bought out so why would they continue to have it part of their package... And what will happen to NASN2?

byte

I dunno if much will change, apart from the branding. ESPN is a well known brand.

As for how it'll work with Setanta, i'm not sure. I guess nobody will have definite answers to that, though it would make sense to keep within the Setanta bouquet.

Andrew 83

I suppose like both of you I'd say if it stays in the Setanta package good news but if not maybe bad news.

mossym

depends..if i can get nasn now for cheaper cause i don't have to pay for the rest of the setanta stuff then it could be a good move

Mossy Monk

hopefully this will bring at least another channel. they need it sometimes

dulpit

I was thinking there as well that hopefully when ESPN take over they don't take the piss and only show stuff from their American channel and get rid of all the FSN, CBS shows etc. That would mean a whole lot less on it, i like the variety. Plus Fox has the BCS, disaster if they got rid of them... If they leave whats n and bring in more then that would be fine, Monday night football or something(long shot but we can hope...)

DMC

I think you would find that the live relays of College Football, NHL and Baseball are the USP of NASN, and ESPN would have to realise that if the astons contain CBS, FOX etc, they will have to put up with that.

NFL won't appear for some time, I think the contract with Sky Sports has a few more years in it yet.

stuartfanning

dulpit wrote:

I was thinking there as well that hopefully when ESPN take over they don't take the piss and only show stuff from their American channel and get rid of all the FSN, CBS shows etc. That would mean a whole lot less on it, i like the variety. Plus Fox has the BCS, disaster if they got rid of them... If they leave whats n and bring in more then that would be fine, Monday night football or something(long shot but we can hope...)

ESPN in Asia show a lot of stuff from other US networks.

daveirl

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daveirl

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stuartfanning

Hoefully it will mean that finally viewers in the UK & Ireland will get to see SportsCenter.

dulpit

anybody have any idea when they take over? it only says early in the new year on their website but was it in any of the papers or anything?

stuartfanning

dulpit wrote:

anybody have any idea when they take over? it only says early in the new year on their website but was it in any of the papers or anything?

The deal has been announced but it hasn't been completed yet. There's been loads in the Press, see this......

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=&q=nasn&btnG=Search+News

Mossy Monk

stuartfanning wrote:

Hoefully it will mean that finally viewers in the UK & Ireland will get to see SportsCenter.

hopefully

The Sparrow

daveirl wrote:

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I thought that too, but the West Virginia (LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS!) V Rutgers game that they showed on Monday evening was an ESPN programme.

kaisersose77

im sure i read/heard it'll be gone from the setanta package