REGIONAL SPORTS channel SportsMax has joined forces with the popular North American-based Fox Soccer Channel (FSC) following a deal which sees the local-based company acquire exclusive broadcast and distribution rights of the FSC in Jamaica.

The agreement bartered between FSC and SportsMax's parent company, International Media Content Limited (IMC), will see the FSC rebranded Fox Soccer Channel Jamaica for local distribution. The channel is expected to include at least four hours of local and regional football per week with the potential for broadcast on the Fox Soccer Channel in North America.

A major move

"This is major for us as we look to expand our operations and a major move for the Jamaican sporting landscape to expand its reach outside of Jamaica," said Newton Robertson, chief operating officer of SportsMax, yesterday.

" The agreement solidifies our position as it pairs the two most watched sports channels locally and gives IMC an opportunity to broadcast our local and regional content into the U.S. and Canadian markets," he said. "SportsMax will invest in our local talent and work with local producers to ensure that our productions meet international broadcasting quality standards," he said.

However, as of October 1, both channels will only be available by a monthly subscription fee from cable operators islandwide. The channels will be the exclusive broadcasters of the Barclays English Premier League, the FA Cup, Euro 2008 qualifiers and the England home international matches.

Viewers wishing to tune in to FSC Jamaica will also be able to see the Italian Series A, Argentine League, CONCACAF Champions Cup and the U.S.'s Major League Soccer as well as the daily Sky Sports News and Fox Sports World Report. SportsMax, which broadcasts to 17 countries in the Caribbean, also has the exclusive broadcast rights to overseas West Indies cricket tours, the upcoming Ashes, the South American COPA America and the IAAF Grand Prix.

"Our strategy has always been to establish Fox Soccer Channel as the premier TV destination for soccer in North America and the Caribbean," stated the executive vice president and general manager of FSC, David Sternberg. "With IMC's proven business model and complementary content to FSC, we look forward to providing the Jamaican television audience with the world-class soccer programming it demands," Sternberg said.