Fox takes control of Endemol-backed Dutch sports firm

Fox International Channels has acquired a 51% stake in EMM, a Dutch company that manages rights for the country’s top football league and runs the Eredivisie Live channel. EMM was created in 2008 by the clubs in the Eredivisie and Endemol.

Endemol and the eighteen clubs in the Eredivisie approved the FIC deal for which no financial terms were disclosed. FIC already runs the National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild and FoxLife channels in the country and last year launched cooking net 24Kitchen.

Jesus Perezagua, president of Fox International Channels Europe and Africa, said, “The partnership with EMM and the 18 Eredivisie clubs will push FIC in Europe to a new level. It introduces the Dutch Premier League to our brand portfolio in The Netherlands and adds sports to the entertainment genres where we already have strength: scripted, factual and lifestyle. This breadth is what makes FIC one of the most relevant players in the content distribution industry in Europe”.

Alex Tielbeke, director media & marketing for Eredivisie CV, praised the partnership. “Fox International Channels is part of an international network of successful sports channels in the United States, Latin America, Asia and now Europe. We plan to use that knowledge and expertise as we continue to grow the success of Eredivisie Live.”

The deal needs to be approved by the local competition authority.