Disney Buys European Sports Network

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Walt Disney Co. made a move Tuesday to expand its ESPN coverage in Europe by agreeing to buy London-based cable channel NASN Ltd.


The network, known as North American Sports Network, is owned by private-equity firm Benchmark Capital Europe and Setanta Sports Holdings Ltd. NASN has rights to broadcast American sports leagues including the National Football League, Major League Baseball and National Hockey League.


Terms weren’t disclosed but the Wall Street Journal reported the deal was worth between $107 million and $120 million, including assumption of debt.


The move will allow Disney’s ESPN to expand its reach in Europe, which now only offers the network’s ESPN Classic channel, a soccer Web site and a business that sells some sports shows to other European networks.


The deal gives ESPN exclusive rights to show NHL and MLB games in Europe, as well as some exclusive rights in select countries for the NFL. The European network reportedly has 6 million subscribers in more than 25 countries in Europe.


“As more Europeans enter the American sports leagues, I think that interest [in Europe] will grow,” said Lynne Frank, ESPN managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “We have aspirations to build a strong presence in Europe.”


Shares in Disney were up 60 cents to $34.04 in early trading Tuesday.

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