Fox Sports will continue to partner with the streaming platform in South America
Facebook has agreed a deal with FOX Sports for Copa Libertadores media rights in Spanish speaking South America.
The social media giant’s streaming platform, Facebook Watch, has renewed a sublicensing agreement with the pay-tv broadcaster to share rights until the quarter-final stage of the competition – once it continues after suspending due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The semi-final and final of South America’s premier club competition will be exclusively shown on Facebook Watch, and the deal covers Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
The partnership allows Fox Sports to show matches on Thursdays alongside Facebook, while games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays will be on Facebook Watch. Matches on Facebook Watch will be shown on the Conmebol Libertadores and Fox Sports Facebook pages.
Leonardo Lenz, director of sports associations in Latin America for Facebook, said: “We are excited to renew this partnership with Fox Sports and bring even more opportunities for fans to connect with the tournament on Facebook.”
Conmebol’s commercial and marketing director, Juan Emilio Roa, added: “At Conmebol we are committed to the promotion and exhibition of South American football inside and outside our borders, so we are especially happy to renew agreements like this with Facebook Watch and Fox Sports that bring the great celebration of the Libertadores to fans of everyone through new digital platforms.”
The Copa Libertadores has suspended its next round of fixtures due to the Covid-19 pandemic – which has seen major sporting competitions around the world postponed in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus.
It is unknown when the continental tournament will resume, but having only started in January it is still in the group stages – unlike competitions in Europe which were closing in on the end of the season when they were postponed.