After 4 years off air, ESPN returns to Philippine television

Screengrab from YouTube
Screengrab from YouTube

ESPN is back.

Four years after leaving the Philippine airwaves, the US-based sports broadcaster is set to return to the country via a partnership with local broadcast network TV5.

The network had previously aired its programming from 1994 to 2013 on cable television through a partnership with Star TV and Fox International.

TV5 president Vincent Reyes and coach of the Philippines’ national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas said during a press conference today in Manila that its sports programming will be rebranded as “ESPN 5” beginning tomorrow.

According to a statement released on Tuesday on TV5’s website, ESPN will license TV5 more than 2,500 hours of programming per year from its portfolio of sports rights.

In addition to re-broadcasting content from the US, they will also collaborate in producing local programming, including a daily Philippine edition of SportsCenter.

They will also co-brand original sports content on TV5’s online platform.

NBA games, however, will continue to air live on ABS-CBN Sports, who holds the license to air NBA games live in the Philippines. But viewers can tune in to ESPN5 after the games for post-analysis shows.

Sports shows under the ESPN5 brand including SportsCenter Philippine Edition will air on TV5’s free channels – TV5 and Aksyon 41.

Check out the video announcement of ESPN’s return here:




 

 



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