Econet Media today announced that it has negotiated an impressive 3-season agreement with leading South American TV company, the Brazilian Globo. The deal will offer Econet Media rights to broadcast live games from Brazil’s top soccer competition, with English commentary on its Kwesé branded platforms.
Starting in 2016 and running until 2018, Kwesé will be the exclusive broadcaster of the Brazilian League in the following territories – Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zanzibar and Zimbabwe.
The deal encompasses the rights to screen 110 games of the Brazilian League running from May to December each year until 2018 and 43 games from São Paulo State League (February to May annually). Both tournaments will be available on Kweséplatforms. In addition, Kwesé will screen weekly two shows that amplify the relevance of the championship: “FootBrazil” and “FootBrazil Highlights”.
As part of the recently concluded contract, Econet Media also holds sub-licensing rights.
Commenting on the latest news, Econet Media CEO Joseph Hundah says, “Brazil is a global soccer powerhouse whose world-famous superstars have included the likes of Pelé, Zico, Roberto Carlos, Kaká, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Neymar, among countless other legends of the game. The outstanding skills of their top players have thrilled soccer fans for decades and we are delighted that we have acquired the rights for Kwesé Sports to showcase a new generation of soccer icons in the making. Our www.kwesesports.com website continues to grow and this deal with Globo is indicative of our commitment to give African sports fans access to the best in premium sports content.”
“We are pleased to work with Econet Media. It’s an important deal that will deliver the best of Brazilian soccer to more fans around the world,” says Raphael Corrêa Netto, Globo’s head of international sales. “We believe that Brazilian soccer has a truly global appeal and we are sure Kwesé viewers will enjoy following the thrilling action from these two famous leagues.”
A subsidiary company of the globally networked Econet Group founded by Executive Chairman Strive Masiyiwa, Econet Media is a dynamic content business driving the development of Kwesé, a fresh new television brand. Created for Sub-Saharan African audiences, Kwesé is inspired by the ‘TV everywhere’ revolution. As such, a range of Kwesé products will be made available on satellite and internet based platforms, including video-on-demand and mobile options. Focused on providing premium, affordable, exclusive viewing choices, Kwesé products will offer sports, music, movies, series, kids, lifestyle, faith, news and other programming. Consumers will also benefit from the infrastructural strength of Econet Media sister companies Liquid Telecom and Econet Wireless. Their expertise and capacity in the areas of mobile and fixed telephony services, broadband, internet, satellite and fibre optic networks will be utilized to establish Kwesé products. In addition, Econet Media have invested intensively to build its own operational assets.
To be one of world’s leading communications company is just possible with a lot of creativity, professionalism and investment on quality and innovation. Globo produces close to 3,000 annual hours of telenovelas and programs, as well as over 3,000 hours of telejournalism. Programs, series and interviews with a high standard of quality that every year, receive nominations in the International Emmy Awards. Presently, the network covers 98.6% of Brazil’s territory, reaching 99.5% of the population with the greatest network of affiliated broadcasting stations of 124 spread over the states. More than 90% of the network’s programming is produced in-house, which makes Globo the country’s largest job provider for artists, authors, journalists and producers. Globo is also responsible for the licensing of some Brazilian soccer rights for the international market. Currently, its content is distributed for more than 100 countries in cross-platform. The soccer championships Brazilian League and State Leagues, available in HD, are highlights of its portfolio. Globo as well produces and distributes Brazilian sports magazines made especially for the foreign market, named FootBrazil and FootBrazil Highlights.