Dutch cable operator Ziggo will launch a new sports channel this month, featuring major events, a weekly talkshow and sports-related films and documentaries. Ziggo Sport will be available free to Ziggo customers and will offer international and national sports including soccer, motor racing, tennis, golf, basketball, hockey, rugby, volleyball and athletics. The launch of the new channel follows the merger of UPC and Ziggo at the beginning of this year.
The aim of the merger, according to Baptiest Coopmans, CEO of Ziggo, was to allow the company to offer its customers better products, services, content and innovation. Ziggo already offers internet, the television platform Horizon, TV app app Horizon Go, catch-up service Replay TV and more than 2,000 films and series via the MyPrime service.
Ziggo Sports will televise professional sports events including European and World Championships qualifiers, Formula One and NBA basketball. Ziggo Sports will also provide a platform for Dutch spots, screening live hockey and basketball.
Paid-for premium service Ziggo Sport Totaal will replace the former Sport1, and offer access to six channels; Ziggo Sport Select, Ziggo Sport Voetbal, Ziggo Sport Golf and Ziggo Sport Racing.
On November 12, Ziggo customers will have automatic access to Ziggo Sport on channel 14. With the Horizon Go app Ziggo subscribers can also watch sports on different devices and catch-up using ReplayTV Horizon.
