Dream on Eurosport
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:21 pm
Eurosport, the largest European sports satellite and cable network, plans to broadcast events from the Japan-based Dream promotion in the future. SoftBank, the international rights distributor for Dream’s parent company, Fighting Entertainment Group, confirmed the deal with Sherdog.com. Since Eurosport already broadcasts FEG’s K-1 programs -- the K-1 World Grand Prix and the MAX series -- the move to swoop in for Dream was an obvious one.
The channel has had MMA programming in the past within the framework of its two-hour “Fight Club” shows. Eurosport had its broadcast license for Pride shows revoked, however, after it repeatedly transmitted fights off demo tapes without a valid contract. With the Dream deal in place, MMA will be back in 54 countries throughout Europe.
The agreement includes the semi-finals and the final for both the lightweight and middleweight tournaments. Even though a schedule has not yet been released, it is expected that Dream 3 will be the first show to air later this summer or in the fall.
The channel has had MMA programming in the past within the framework of its two-hour “Fight Club” shows. Eurosport had its broadcast license for Pride shows revoked, however, after it repeatedly transmitted fights off demo tapes without a valid contract. With the Dream deal in place, MMA will be back in 54 countries throughout Europe.
The agreement includes the semi-finals and the final for both the lightweight and middleweight tournaments. Even though a schedule has not yet been released, it is expected that Dream 3 will be the first show to air later this summer or in the fall.