By Stuart Thomson
Lome, Togo-based satellite pay TV broadcaster New World TV Group (NWTV) has secured the exclusive pay TV rights to broadcast England’s Emirates FA Cup in 17 countries across western and central Africa, and non-exclusively in Chad, in a deal brokered by IMG.
Under the agreement, NWTV will broadcast live French language coverage for all fixtures from the next two seasons of the annual football competition alongside highlight programming.
The FA Cup is the oldest national cup competition in football and celebrated its 150th anniversary last year. Defending champions Liverpool will start their 2022-23 campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 7, with the 2023 FA Cup final to be held on June 3 at Wembley Stadium.
IMG currently distributes the international media rights for the FA Cup, the FA Community Shield and the FA Youth Cup, excluding western Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
NWTV will broadcast the FA Cup exclusively on pay TV in Benin, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Ivory Coast, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles and Togo.
NWTV’s managing Director Nimonka Kolani said: “NWTV pays special attention making sure all Africans can access premium content at a decent price. We are delighted to have secured another major sporting competition, reinforcing our relationship with our audience who will be able to experience these unique moments. We will, through our strategic partnerships, reach several millions of viewers.”
IMG Media’s SVP for France and Benelux and EMEA Business Development, Beatrice Saunier said: “This deal marks another way we’re working with the FA to bring its most prestigious competition to new international partners around the world. The FA Cup is one of football’s biggest and most beloved competitions and this season is set to be another thrilling edition. We’re delighted to partner with NWTV to drive its reach even further.”
