ESPN, the exclusive rights holder for pay television to the Premier League in Brazil, announced that it has extended its rights with the league in the Brazilian market through the 2021/2022 season.
The agreement includes rights for all media, including broadcast and pay television, streaming (WatchESPN) and VOD. The 2017/2018 season of the Premier League begins August 12th.
"ESPN is extremely proud to announce its new agreement with the Premier League and, by extending the existing agreement, thrilled to be able to bring it to Brazilian fans for the next five years," said German Hartenstein, general manager of ESPN Brazil.
"ESPN Brazil began airing Premier League matches 15 years ago and I am sure that, with this new agreement, we will continue to become even stronger, showcasing some of the world’s most competitive football and top stars with best-in-class production and journalistic values."
"ESPN has done a fantastic job broadcasting the Premier League in Brazil for the last 15 seasons and we are very pleased they have again chosen to invest in our broadcasting rights. They have a track-record of delivering first rate production and expert analysis that have driven interest in Premier League clubs, and in the competition. We look forward to working with them for the next five seasons to make the best Premier League action available to football fans across the country."
In the most recent season, ESPN’s exclusive broadcast of the Premier League showed a 23% ratings growth in comparison to the 2015/2016 season. Transmission of all of the championship’s 380 games across three Pay TV networks and streamed on WatchESPN grew ratings across all ESPN platforms, in particular on ESPN+ which saw viewership increase fivefold.
ESPN Brazil has two correspondents in London to cover the Premier League, reporters João Castelo Branco and Natalie Gedra. Last season, stars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Brazilians Gabriel Jesus, Willian and Philippe Coutinho, as well as coaches Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho and Jürgen Klopp, appeared in exclusive interviews on ESPN. The Premier League brings together stars such as Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, Eden Hazard, Sergio Aguero, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, among many others who thrill sports fans in Brazil and around the world.
