ESPN Africa (on-air name: ESPN) is an African pay television sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 72% stake), the Hearst Communications (which owns 18%) and National Football League (owns the remaining 10%). The channel broadcasts in Sub-Saharan Africa in English and French.
History
ESPN International began its service in Africa in June 1994. When ESPN launched the television channel, was available in 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It's portfolio of broadcasts included NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR, UEFA Champions League, Spanish Primera League, Euroleague, NCAA Basketball and Football, among others.
In July 2013, ESPN announced that had decided to stop broadcasting across the Middle East and Africa at the end of the month. In a statement, the company said: “This was a strategic business decision made by ESPN,” the statement said. “At this point in time, ESPN will focus on its digital and content syndication businesses in the EMEA [Europe, the Middle East and Africa] region.”
On December 14, 2017, The Walt Disney Company announced its intent to acquire 21st Century Fox (21CF), including international assets. The deal was officially completed on March 19, 2019.
Fox International Channels had acquired Setanta Africa channels in November 2013,Fox completes Setanta Africa deal and in August 2014, rebranded Setanta Sports as Fox Sports and Setanta Action as Fox Sports 2.FOX Sports to replace Setanta through Africa The channel traces its origins to a sports licensing company set up by South African sportscaster Barry Lambert, formerly of TVAfrica, as LIM Africa, later renamed Setanta Africa after a deal with Setanta gave them the rights to use the brand and created a localized African channel in August 2008. A second channel, Setanta Action, started in November 2012, airing other sports with particular emphasis on combat sports.New channel Setanta Action: now live on TopTV Its programming mainly featured football from Ligue 1, Eredivisie, Scottish Premiership, Belgian Pro League and English Football League. The network was also a long-standing broadcaster of the South American competitions Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana across Africa until the rights moved in 2017.
On August 7, 2019, six months after Disney acquired most of 21st Century Fox's assets, it was announced that the network would renamed as ESPN Africa on August 30. The website also were put under the ESPN brand. This marked the return of the brand to Sub-Saharan Africa after six years, as the former local ESPN feedESPN ישראל בדרך לסגירה and ESPN America both shut down on July 31, 2013.ESPN channel closing on DStv
On October 2, 2025, ESPN linear channels was added on Disney+ at no additional cost in South Africa.
Programming
American Football National Football League College football
Australian Football Australian Football League AFL Women's
Baseball Major League Baseball World Baseball Classic College baseball Little League World Series
Basketball National Basketball Association FIBA Basketball World Cup FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup AfroBasket AfroBasket Women Basketball Africa League Women's National Basketball Association College basketball NBA Summer League NBA G League
Cricket Major League Cricket
Ice Hockey National Hockey League
Motor Sports DTM ADAC GT Masters
Multi-Sport Events Special Olympics World Games
Rugby union/league Top 14 Japan Rugby League One Major League Rugby National Rugby League
Soccer Source: UEFA Women's Champions League Eredivisie Süper Lig Scottish Premiership English Football League Saudi Pro League NWSL DFB-Pokal Scottish League Cup Saudi King's Cup Saudi Super Cup CONCACAF Champions Cup
References
External links