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New Delhi, July 2 ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) has acquired the broadcasting rights for the football events, including the 2010 World Cup, of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) for the Indian subcontinent till 2010. Last time too the broadcaster had acquired the rights and had telecast the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

It is believed to have made a successful bid of $40 million for the rights this time. ESS will have the exclusive rights to 275 international football games including the World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup.

The two tournaments will be held for the first time in South Africa.

Apart from these, the audience will also get to see women’s football, Futsal and beach soccer.

The broadcaster recently aired the UEFA Euro 2008, and is currently telecasting the Wimbledon matches. ESS claims the 2006 World Cup was watched by over 50 million people in India, up by almost 50 per cent from the previous edition of the tournament.

“This agreement is a testament to our commitment to building the game of football by presenting it in the most innovative and entertaining manner to millions of fans in the Indian subcontinent,” said Mr Manu Sawhney, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports, in a statement from the company.

According to Mr R.C. Venkateish, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt, the broadcasters’ belief in football is paying off.

“Soccer viewership has shown a consistent increase. For instance, the reach of Barclays Premier League has grown at more than 40 per cent per annum since 2005,” he said.

“The fact that ESPN Star Sports is entering into a record deal in Indian market, underlines its commitment to football.

“It ensures that images of our events including the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be seen by the widest possible audience across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka — steadily growing football markets,” added Mr Joseph S Blatter, FIFA President.

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