ESPN secure more football TV rights

[satandpcguy]

ESPN has secured TV rights to show football from the German, Russian, Portuguese and Dutch top divisions, alongside the remainder of the US Major League Soccer season.

Coverage from the four leagues for 2009/10 - and the rest of the MLS action up to November - will be shown on the firm's forthcoming ESPN channel, along with its English Premier League and Scottish Premier League matches.

The station will officially launch on August 3 in standard definition and high definition at 417 and 443 respectively on Sky's EPG.

And they have also agreed a multi-year deal with Germany's Bundesliga for five live games per week, including a "selection of HD matches, plus weekly preview and highlight packages".

It has also negotiated a UK and Ireland exclusive deal with the Portuguese Liga and an arrangement with IMG for two Dutch games per week from the Eredivisie, as well as full live coverage from the Russian Premier League.

[satandpcguy]

ESPN has secured an exclusive TV rights deal to broadcast live Italian Serie A matches in the UK.

Under the deal agreed with Media Partners and Silva, ESPN will broadcast up to three live Serie A games per week for the 2009/10 season. Coverage will begin on August 22 when AC Milan take on Siena, followed by Serie A champions Inter Milan versus Bari on August 23.