Italy’s top soccer league is heading to ESPN. The network outbid Turner for a package that includes both TV and digital rights. ESPN laid out its plans in a press release.
Starting this month, ESPN+ will carry an average of nine matches live each week from August through May, while ESPN networks will televise a Serie A TIM Match of the Week — close to 40 matches per season. Most telecasts will air on ESPN and ESPN2, and the Match of the Week will also be available in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.
The package begins with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Serie A debut when his Juventus squad takes on Chievo Verona. That game will be available only on ESPN+. No start date has been given for the televised matches.
ESPN will put a focus on highlights from the league as well. The press release also outlines plans for the studio coverage it will provide for Serie A.
Coverage of Serie A TIM will also feature year-round news and highlights content across ESPN platforms. Additionally, ESPN+ will exclusively feature one-hour season preview and review programs, a weekly preview and highlight shows and a Serie A TIM goals of the week program.
This deal is another step in establishing ESPN+ as a must have service for soccer fans. The OTT platform now has rights for Serie A, MLS, USL, the UEFA Nations League, England’s Carabao Cup, and the EFL Championship.
