beIN SPORTS announced that HC2 Broadcasting, the broadcasting subsidiary of HC2 Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HCHC), will carry beIN SPORTS XTRA, making it the first 24/7 live sports channel available free, over-the-air on broadcast television.
The English-language channel, beIN SPORTS XTRA, will be immediately available in 15 major markets across the U.S., on HC2’s stations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas – Fort Worth, Houston, San Jose – San Francisco – Oakland, Atlanta, Miami – Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Hartford, Columbus, Las Vegas, and Austin, among others.
HC2 Broadcasting has 195 operational stations in over 130 U.S. markets, including 34 of the top 35 markets across the United States.
“Today marks a significant day as beIN SPORTS is now able to deliver the best in world-class sports to a new segment of fans on over-the-air television, where all that is required for access is an antenna to start watching LIVE events for free. We’re thrilled to be the first network to air advertiser-friendly live sports 24/7 on broadcast channels to nearly 7 million households. This milestone furthers our mission to deliver the highest quality sports content to the most viewers possible, regardless of platform,” said Antonio Briceño, beIN SPORTS Deputy Managing Director for North America.
This distribution deal builds upon beIN SPORTS’ media sales partnership with Azteca America, announced earlier this year.
“We are extremely excited to build upon our current partnership with beIN SPORTS in delivering the very first 24/7 premium sports channel OTA-focused on the general market sports fan,” commented Craig A. Geller, Executive Vice President of HC2 Network.