ESPN to commission IMG Sports Media

According to an article on The Guardian's website, ESPN are to commission American company IMG Sports Media to produce its studio shows for its Premier League coverage and for any future rights they may get.

"ESPN, due to launch a new UK channel in time for the beginning of the football season to house the 46 live Premier League matches that became available when Setanta went under, is poised to sign a vital production deal. The US broadcaster will commission IMG Sports Media, the production arm of the global sports marketing company, to make the studio shows and ancillary programming for its Premier League coverage and any other rights it wins. Sky cameras will provide its on-pitch coverage but IMG will take responsibility for other content, some of which is also likely to be shared with its ESPN Soccernet website. The deal is the latest manifestation of ESPN's efforts to keep costs down by outsourcing retail, customer service and production to third parties. It is also expected to extend to programming around other rights that ESPN is seeking. The Scottish Premier League is considering a joint bid from Sky and ESPN to step into the void left by the collapse of Setanta and the broadcaster is believed to be in negotiations with the Football Association over FA Cup rights."

IMG currently work with Sky Sports for their Premier League coverage. This is also the first we've heard about ESPN trying to get FA Cup rights, so here's hoping they can add those rights to the Premier League ones. More as we get it.