Fox Plans All Action-Sports Network Next Year
- by December 5, 2002
The announcement was made Wednesday at the Broadband Plus Western Show in Anaheim, Calif., by Fox Networks Group President/CEO Anthony J. Vinciquerra.
DIRECTV and Time Warner Cable will provide initial distribution, with the satellite provider offering the as-yet-unnamed service as part of its Sports Pack of more than 20 specialty and regional sports channels. Time Warner Cable will offer the channel on its digital sports tier. The channel will also be carried by Classic Communications, MTC Cable, Piedmont Cable, Service Electric Cable TV and U.S. Cable.
"The nation's cable and satellite providers have invested a lot of capital into building out digital broadband on behalf of customers. Now is the perfect time to apply Fox's core action sports and youth culture programming and production competencies toward what is already America's first digital television generation," Vinciquerra said Wednesday. Earlier this fall, Fox announced it would produce a halfhour daily action sports show 54321 based in Los Angeles and running on Fox Sports Net and its regional channels.
The channel would feature original and acquired sports events and magazine programs covering skateboarding, surfing, wakeboarding, BMX, motocross, snowboarding and other action sports. Fox said there would be more than 1,000 hours of original programming in the first year. There will also be cross-promotional and marketing support with Fox Sports Net, 13 owned and operated regional sports networks; SPEED Channel; Fox Sports World; Fox Sports en Espanol; FX and Fox Broadcasting's sports programs. Other Fox action sports shows running on these networks include Bluetorch and Rush Hour.
The network said it had entered into marketing partnerships with agencies and advertisers interested in building brand sampling and loyalties. These range from producers of video games to motion pictures and entertainment, telecommunications, quick-service restaurants, soft drinks, athletic shoes, automotive and armed services recruitment.
Fox also said it would expect to work with cable, satellite and other digital providers to produce action sports opportunities in video on demand, mobile and interactive services.
