Pac-12 Networks Enters Latin America Via Metta Sport

Continuing its international expansion, Pac-12 Networks has inked a multiyear agreement with Metta Sport to bring content into Latin America.

Metta Sport, an international sports marketing and distribution agency, will represent Pac-12 Networks in the distribution of live, near-live and video on demand games across nearly 30 sports throughout Latin America, including Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

According to the parties, Metta Sport has already secured agreements to distribute a selection of Pac-12 Networks events beginning in March through the Claro Sports network in several Latin American countries, and through Antel’s mobile platform in Uruguay.

Deal terms were not disclosed.

The deal with Metta Sport follows the Pac-12’s agreement with Chinese interactive video platform LeTV to stream 27 Pac-12 men’s basketball games in China during the 2014-15 season, including the recently concluded Pac-12 Men’s Basketball tournament, won by Arizona (pictured), now the No. 2 seed in the West region of the the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.

Last August the Pac-12 Networks also launched the first-ever live streaming subscription sports channel on YouTube that is now accessible in 34 countries outside of the United States.  

“International distribution has been a high priority for us as we look to deliver our world class Pac-12 sports content to our growing fan base living outside of the United States,” Pac-12 Networks Vice President of Programming Dustin Rocke said. “Our agreement with Metta Sport will allow us to expand our reach even further and expose our teams and universities to new audiences in Latin America.” 

Noted Metta Sports managing director Dave Smith: “Sports fans in Latin America and all over the world have a great appreciation for the passion, intensity and competition of high quality sports. The Pac-12 has proven to be one of the premier collegiate athletic conferences in the world and we are thrilled to partner with them to deliver the highest quality sports content to fans throughout Latin America.”

Stateside, Pac-12 Networks, which proffers a central feed, as well as six sub-regionals reflecting content pairings from the six pairings of conference members, has been stymied to some extent on the distribution front, notably with DirecTV.