Fox Sports Eredivisie
| Company type | Premium TV platform |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting, Sports broadcasting |
| Predecessor | Eredivisie Live |
| Founded | August 29, 2008 |
| Fate | Renamed ESPN on 31 December 2020 |
Area served | Netherlands |
| Products | Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Sports 3; live broadcasts of Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, Keuken Kampioen Divisie, UEFA Europa League (Dutch clubs) |
| Owner | Fox Networks Group Benelux (51%), Eredivisie CV and Endemol (49%) |
Fox Sports Eredivisie was a Dutch premium TV platform operated by Eredivisie Media & Marketing CV. Ownership was divided with Fox Networks Group Benelux controlling 51%, while the football clubs (Eredivisie CV) alongside Endemol held the remaining 49%. This service featured three channels under the Fox Sports (Netherlands) premium umbrella and possessed exclusive rights to broadcast live matches from the Eredivisie, the premier football league in the Netherlands.
History
Initially launched as Eredivisie Live on 29 August 2008, coinciding with the commencement of the 2008–09 season, match highlights were also broadcast by the national public broadcaster NOS. The expert panel included Jan van Halst, Mario Been, and Pierre van Hooijdonk, complemented by weekly tactical reviews from Gary Lineker accessible via the service’s website, which additionally provided pay-per-view options.
Between the 2009–10 and 2012–13 seasons, Eredivisie Live aired live UEFA Europa League matches on Thursdays. From the 2013–14 season onwards, fixtures involving non-Dutch clubs were transferred to its sister channel, Fox Sports International.
On 1 August 2013, the platform underwent rebranding to become Fox Sports Eredivisie.
It was announced on 1 October 2020 that Fox Sports Eredivisie would be renamed ESPN starting from 31 December 2020, following Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
Coverage
- Eredivisie – Live coverage of every match
- KNVB Cup – Complete live broadcasts
- Keuken Kampioen Divisie – Live games on Fridays and Mondays at 20:00
- UEFA Europa League – Live broadcasts featuring Dutch clubs
Channels
- Fox Sports 1
- Fox Sports 2
- Fox Sports 3