Continuing to build its distribution base, One World Sports has inked a master agreement with the National Cable Television Cooperative.
The pact, financial terms of which were not disclosed, has already resulted in two NCTC members, RCN and Atlantic Broadband, adding One World Sports to their distribution lineups.
The NCTC pact makes the network, which has the rights to a bevy of international sports properties, available to all of the cable cooperative’s nearly 1,000 members, which collectively reach some 12 million subscribers across the U.S.
“More and more fans in every pocket of the country – especially ‘millennials’ -- are embracing if not clamoring for sports from around the world,” said Randy Brown, executive vice president, distribution, of One World Sports. “Our agreement with NCTC, a fabulous organization helping bring top-flight programming to viewers throughout the USA, is the latest major step in our successful effort to reach those fans.”
Noted NCTC executive vice president of programming Judy Meyka: “Our member companies serve subscribers that are increasingly embracing soccer and other global sports. We appreciate independent programmers like One World Sports that have a clear brand identity and focus on content such as global sports and are also highly supportive of our independent cable distributor members.”
Previously, another NCTC member, Hawaiian Telecom, had concluded its own deal with One World Sports.
The global sports proponent also counts Verizon FiOS and Charter Communications, both of which signed on last year, as well as Dish Network, Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Mediacom Communications, Hawaiian and Google Fiber on its affiliate roster.
The rollout with RCN has placed One World on the provider’s systems in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, as well as in New York, where subscribers can join Optimum and FiOS customers in watching New York Cosmos soccer action.
The Atlantic Broadband launch also opens up more viewing to futbol fans in the South Florida area.
In addition to the Cosmos, One World Sports showcases plenty of soccer action, including matches and related programming from Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, FC Bayern Munich and AC Milan. It also has the rights to futbol from Asia and the Pacific Rim, notably the Asian Cup, the 16-team tournament that it is making available in Canada on a streaming, subscription basis.
Among its more than 3,000 programming hours, the network also televises the international home matches of England's national cricket team, Japanese baseball squad, the Yomiuri Giants, the Kontinental Hockey League, Champions Hockey League, the Chinese Basketball Association, OneAsia Golf Tour, and the top competitions in table tennis and badminton from around the world.
