FIC launching Fox Sports Channel in Italy

Fox International Channels (FIC) has secured a slew of rights for a new Fox Sports channel it will launch in Italy later this year.

FIC will launch the service in August and has secured a raft of premium football rights including English FA Cup and Premier League as well as games from Spain’s top divisions.

FIC has moved heavily into sport, launching Fox Sports in Brazil and Japan, buying a majority stake in the group that owns Dutch Eredivisie rights and converting ESPN Star Sports to Fox Sports throughout Asia, having bought Disney out of that joint venture.

The news of the Italian launch comes soon after reports that FIC is looking at organising a summer soccer competition fearturing top international sides, to be played at locations around the world.

Speaking about the upcoming Italian launch, Hernan Lopez, President and CEO said: “Our goal is to bring all the passion of Fox Sports to the most passionate sports fans around the world – and in this ranking, Italy comes high up on the list.”