By David Gold
August 9 – FOX International (FIC) has bought a majority stake in Eredivisie Media and Marketing CV (EMM), which holds Dutch league football broadcast rights.
EMM announced the move in a statement published on its website, with the purchase approved unanimously by their shareholders.
The company was set up in 2008 by the Dutch Eredivisie teams and the media company Endemol.
According to reports the deal is worth as much as €1 billion (£790 million/$1.23 billion), although the deal is still subject to approval by the Dutch Competition Authority.
EMM director Alex Tielbeke welcomed FOX’s acquisition, saying that with their “knowledge, expertise and related network we take a major step in the success and growth of Eredivise Live.”
Eredivisie Live is the channel EMM operate, which screens Dutch top flight football.
“For the Dutch clubs and fans, it is good news that we can welcome such a strong partner,” said Frank Rutten, another director of EMM.
“The fact that FOX International is going to participate in Eredivisie Media & Marketing means there is great confidence in the organisation and appreciation for what until now has been reached.”
“Together we will build in the years ahead to a successful and innovative Eredivisie Live…and an improved experience for the fans.”
The deal is a boost to the Dutch game, which has a rich heritage, but the country currently languishes eighth in UEFA’s coefficients behind France, Portugal and Russia.
FOX International managing director Raymond van der Vliet added: “We are very pleased with EMM and the 18 Premier League football clubs the strongest channel of the Netherlands to develop further.
“That we add the sports genre to our portfolio of existing brands in the Netherlands is an honour and privilege.
“We expect that our local and international experience and success with regard to the exploitation of various channels, together with EMM, are capable of providing Dutch football fans a high quality operation.”
FOX International Channels includes FOX Sports, which shows a variety of sports such as golf, cricket and motor racing.
FOX also have a range of football broadcasting deals in place in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
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