News

10 July 2008

GARY LINEKER JOINS DUTCH FOOTBALL CHANNEL

Nationwide accessibility through major distribution platforms. Live coverage launching August 29th 2008

Endemol has teamed with major football clubs to create content for the brand new digital platform Eredivisie Live. The platform will show live coverage of Dutch Premier League football, as well as a full set tailor made formats- all to be produced by Endemol.

World famous former footballer, Gary Lineker, who now hosts Match of the Day for the BBC will join a list of high quality Dutch presenters, reporters, analysts and commentators on the channel.

Following agreements with Holland's main carriers Eredivisie Live will be accessible nationwide through cable, telecom and internet.

The main focus of the channel Eredivisie Live lies on live matches on weekends, surrounded by associated shows. During week days Eredivisie Live features varied football formats such as talk shows and club reports. Also the channel reruns previous matches.

The new digital channel enables Dutch football clubs, combined in ECV, to accelerate their strategy towards the exploitation of media rights in which a long term investment is seen a key driver for increasing the value of it's content. ECV's managing director Alex Tielbeke explains the aim of the channel: "We would like to show that the premier league is a beautiful competition; with attractive football and talented players. From the clubs to the fans. The premier league should be available to as many people, as possible via various channels. Not only in respect to the recaps on free TV, but also in respect to all live matches. For that reason we have chosen to launch our own channel, instead of selling rights to one party. Especially because this offers more opportunities to raise the income form the exploitation of our mediarights. That enables clubs to invest more in players and trainers, but also to improve the quality of stadiums."

According to Paul Römer, managing director of Endemol Nederland, the digital platform aims to bring across a genuine football feel. "We want to present all the excitement football has to offer. First and foremost live matches but also news, background information, comments, entertainment and emotion. Furthermore we want to anticipate on the consumer's attitude towards media which is expressed in the desire to have more control and to be more involved."

ECV
The Eredivisie CV is the media - and marketing organisation that represents the interest of 18 Dutch Premier League Clubs. Almost 50 years Eredivisie is known for highest level of soccer in the Netherlands. Dutch Soccer has a worldwide recognition for its results and attractive way of playing.