Foxtel locks in multi-year ESPN deal to keep US sports in pubs

Foxtel Group has signed a new multi-year distribution deal with ESPN that will ensure the NBA, NFL, UFC and other popular US sports remain on Foxtel and Kayo — and in pubs and clubs around the country.

As part of the deal, Foxtel Business will now be the exclusive distributor of ESPN for commercial businesses, including in licensed venues.

This effectively closes a loophole that opened in March when ESPN’s two live channels joined the Disney+ service in Australia. Since then, pubs and clubs have been able to stream US sports directly from a single Disney+ subscription, rather than pay for Foxtel’s licensed venues package.