Media Hub
The Greatest Story Ever Played
Published: 16.04.2018
A+E Networks International
launches a worldwide broadcasting first - the History of Football, a 14-day,
24/7, mega television event - will air from May 28 to June 10, 2018. In Africa, the dedicated pop-up channel will
air on DStv channel 187. The channel will be available to DStv customers on DStv
Premium, Compact Plus and Compact.
The History of Football pop-up channel will showcase the event that will capture the anticipation and excitement of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
Outside of Africa, History of Football will air in over 160 territories around the world. Every major territory will see over 40 hours of content which will be a blend of global and local programming. David Villa, World Cup Winner and one of the most decorated players in the world is the global press spokesperson.
Said David Villa, “As a passionate football player, I’ve been lucky enough to see first-hand how much football means to so many people and how it affects people’s lives. History of Football, told so comprehensively by such a well-loved and highly respected global brand as HISTORY, is a remarkable initiative. I am thrilled and honored to work with HISTORY on this fantastic television event, because it gives my fellow players, coaches, and myself, an opportunity to talk about what the game means to us and to re-live so many incredible memories.”
As part of the 14-day programming event, HISTORY will air a slate of original, globally-focused premium documentary series, short form specials and a selection of FIFA World Cup films. HISTORY channels around the world will also broadcast locally-sourced television series and documentaries that will offer a unique lens into each country’s passion for football. Supported by Villa and many other established players, coaches, journalists and experts, History of Footballwill be a deep exploration of the sport from multiple perspectives.
Said Yolisa Phahle, CEO for General Entertainment for MultiChoice: “The story of football is great family entertainment and we’re delighted to be part of HISTORY’s global event. This pop-up channel is exclusive to DStv customers in Africa and is the perfect build-up to the full-on action that will unfold during the football World Cup tournament that we’ll be broadcasting in June, on several dedicated SuperSport channels.”
Highlights of the talent line-up for History of Football include: Pelé, the only player to win three FIFA World Cups; Ryan Giggs, the most decorated player in British history and current manager of the Wales national team; Gary Lineker, England’s record holder for goals scored in finals; internationally renowned sports broadcaster, Louis Van Gaal, former manager of Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Ajax Amsterdam and Holland; Philipp Lahm, captain of Germany during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and current Bayern Munich player; Claudio Ranieri, former manager of Leicester City, during their 2016 English Premier League win and current head coach of Nantes; Roy Hodgson, current manager of Crystal Palace in the English Premier League and former manager of England; and Michael Owen, former striker for Manchester United and the England national team; together with a number of players from the FIFA World Cup winning teams of 1970, 1978, 1990, 1998 and 2014, including the likes of Rivellino, Mario Kempes, Lothar Matthaus, Paul Breitner, Toto Schillaci, Emanuel Petit, Christian Karembeu, Manuel and Philip Lahm.
SERIES
History’s Greatest Moments in Footballwhich chronicles the teams and players in recent World Cup history.
Football Godfatherspresents five powerful documentaries delving into the minds and strategies of the world’s greatest and most revered club managers, revealing how they rose - often from relatively undistinguished playing careers - to become the global superstars of the sport we know today.
Football’s Greatest: Head to Headmatches up the greatest players of yesteryear with the greatest of today, to find out once and for all, who is the greatest of them all. Every generation has an opinion on who is the world’s greatest player. With an expert panel of World Cup players and winners, and using hard science of statistics, as well as the romance of style and passion, this series will set out to resolve the most vexing question in sport.
No matter where you watch History of Footballaround the world, there will be local programming particularly focused on that respective market. The local content will hone in on the cultural nuances which drive the passion for the game for some of football’s most avid fanbases. Below is a small glimpse of the localized African programming set to roll out:
The History of Football in Africa.The 48-minute documentary explores the origins of the beautiful game on the African continent. It captures how a sport forced on the people by their colonial masters became a tool for nation building and developed into the most popular game on the continent, giving rise to some of the world’s most renowned footballing greats, and spoiling audiences with some of the most memorable moments the greatest game has had to offer.
Making World Cup History - this 24-minute special event tells the story of the first ever FIFA Soccer World Cup to be held on the African continent. Exploring the turbulent political and sporting past of the host nation, South Africa, with key insights from those involved in dragging a new democracy from the fringes of sporting obscurity and thrusting it into the glare of the world’s greatest show, successfully pulling off the best FIFA World Cup in history in spite of the magnitude of the task.
SHORTS
HISTORY will also unveil short form original specials which will focus on everything but the game…from the origin of the ball to the insanity of the superfan, the acumen of photographers and so much more. The shorts will provide deeper insights into the sport of football.
Greatest African Rivalries focuses on some of the greatest African football rivalries as talked about by some of the players involved through the years. From international clashes to local derbies, our commentators give their views of these blood and thunder moments.
Fast Facts is a series of short factual/graphics driven info segments giving viewers a small insight into the facts and figures that illuminate the growth of African football and footballers over the last century.
The Scout– Piet De Visser is considered one of the greatest football scouts in the world. He is credited with finding global footballing superstars such as Jaap Stam, David Luiz, Marc Overmars, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne. Here, he reveals his secrets for the first time.
The Referee – Jawahir Jewels has been described as one of the most remarkable referees in England. At 23, she is the only FA-qualified female ethnic Muslim official currently working in the game, where she regularly tackles rowdy players at pitches on the infamous Hackney Marshes in East London.
The Prodigy –Four-year-old Marco Antonio might be young, but his football skills have many already calling him the next Neymar. His parents see his skill with the ball as a ticket out of one of Rio de Janeiro’s toughest favelas. But his promising future career hangs perilously in the balance due to severe intestinal problems that require medical expertise not available in his country.
Nadhi Kalili | Public Relations Officer
Telephone: +264 61 270 5103
Cell: +264 81 231 5311
Email: nadhi.kalili@na.multichoice.com
The History of Football pop-up channel will showcase the event that will capture the anticipation and excitement of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
Outside of Africa, History of Football will air in over 160 territories around the world. Every major territory will see over 40 hours of content which will be a blend of global and local programming. David Villa, World Cup Winner and one of the most decorated players in the world is the global press spokesperson.
Said David Villa, “As a passionate football player, I’ve been lucky enough to see first-hand how much football means to so many people and how it affects people’s lives. History of Football, told so comprehensively by such a well-loved and highly respected global brand as HISTORY, is a remarkable initiative. I am thrilled and honored to work with HISTORY on this fantastic television event, because it gives my fellow players, coaches, and myself, an opportunity to talk about what the game means to us and to re-live so many incredible memories.”
As part of the 14-day programming event, HISTORY will air a slate of original, globally-focused premium documentary series, short form specials and a selection of FIFA World Cup films. HISTORY channels around the world will also broadcast locally-sourced television series and documentaries that will offer a unique lens into each country’s passion for football. Supported by Villa and many other established players, coaches, journalists and experts, History of Footballwill be a deep exploration of the sport from multiple perspectives.
Said Yolisa Phahle, CEO for General Entertainment for MultiChoice: “The story of football is great family entertainment and we’re delighted to be part of HISTORY’s global event. This pop-up channel is exclusive to DStv customers in Africa and is the perfect build-up to the full-on action that will unfold during the football World Cup tournament that we’ll be broadcasting in June, on several dedicated SuperSport channels.”
Highlights of the talent line-up for History of Football include: Pelé, the only player to win three FIFA World Cups; Ryan Giggs, the most decorated player in British history and current manager of the Wales national team; Gary Lineker, England’s record holder for goals scored in finals; internationally renowned sports broadcaster, Louis Van Gaal, former manager of Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Ajax Amsterdam and Holland; Philipp Lahm, captain of Germany during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and current Bayern Munich player; Claudio Ranieri, former manager of Leicester City, during their 2016 English Premier League win and current head coach of Nantes; Roy Hodgson, current manager of Crystal Palace in the English Premier League and former manager of England; and Michael Owen, former striker for Manchester United and the England national team; together with a number of players from the FIFA World Cup winning teams of 1970, 1978, 1990, 1998 and 2014, including the likes of Rivellino, Mario Kempes, Lothar Matthaus, Paul Breitner, Toto Schillaci, Emanuel Petit, Christian Karembeu, Manuel and Philip Lahm.
SERIES
History’s Greatest Moments in Footballwhich chronicles the teams and players in recent World Cup history.
Football Godfatherspresents five powerful documentaries delving into the minds and strategies of the world’s greatest and most revered club managers, revealing how they rose - often from relatively undistinguished playing careers - to become the global superstars of the sport we know today.
Football’s Greatest: Head to Headmatches up the greatest players of yesteryear with the greatest of today, to find out once and for all, who is the greatest of them all. Every generation has an opinion on who is the world’s greatest player. With an expert panel of World Cup players and winners, and using hard science of statistics, as well as the romance of style and passion, this series will set out to resolve the most vexing question in sport.
No matter where you watch History of Footballaround the world, there will be local programming particularly focused on that respective market. The local content will hone in on the cultural nuances which drive the passion for the game for some of football’s most avid fanbases. Below is a small glimpse of the localized African programming set to roll out:
The History of Football in Africa.The 48-minute documentary explores the origins of the beautiful game on the African continent. It captures how a sport forced on the people by their colonial masters became a tool for nation building and developed into the most popular game on the continent, giving rise to some of the world’s most renowned footballing greats, and spoiling audiences with some of the most memorable moments the greatest game has had to offer.
Making World Cup History - this 24-minute special event tells the story of the first ever FIFA Soccer World Cup to be held on the African continent. Exploring the turbulent political and sporting past of the host nation, South Africa, with key insights from those involved in dragging a new democracy from the fringes of sporting obscurity and thrusting it into the glare of the world’s greatest show, successfully pulling off the best FIFA World Cup in history in spite of the magnitude of the task.
SHORTS
HISTORY will also unveil short form original specials which will focus on everything but the game…from the origin of the ball to the insanity of the superfan, the acumen of photographers and so much more. The shorts will provide deeper insights into the sport of football.
Greatest African Rivalries focuses on some of the greatest African football rivalries as talked about by some of the players involved through the years. From international clashes to local derbies, our commentators give their views of these blood and thunder moments.
Fast Facts is a series of short factual/graphics driven info segments giving viewers a small insight into the facts and figures that illuminate the growth of African football and footballers over the last century.
The Scout– Piet De Visser is considered one of the greatest football scouts in the world. He is credited with finding global footballing superstars such as Jaap Stam, David Luiz, Marc Overmars, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne. Here, he reveals his secrets for the first time.
The Referee – Jawahir Jewels has been described as one of the most remarkable referees in England. At 23, she is the only FA-qualified female ethnic Muslim official currently working in the game, where she regularly tackles rowdy players at pitches on the infamous Hackney Marshes in East London.
The Prodigy –Four-year-old Marco Antonio might be young, but his football skills have many already calling him the next Neymar. His parents see his skill with the ball as a ticket out of one of Rio de Janeiro’s toughest favelas. But his promising future career hangs perilously in the balance due to severe intestinal problems that require medical expertise not available in his country.
Nadhi Kalili | Public Relations Officer
Telephone: +264 61 270 5103
Cell: +264 81 231 5311
Email: nadhi.kalili@na.multichoice.com