HISTORY OF FOOTBALL TO AIR GLOBALLY AHEAD OF 2018 WORLD CUP

The HISTORY channel is set to air the History of Football, a 14-day, round-the-clock television event, running globally from 28 May to 10 June.

The special is meant to capitalise on the excitement surrounding the lead-up to the 2018 World Cup. It will air in more than 160 territories around the world, including in Brazil, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom; as well as across Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Every major territory will present over 40 hours of content, which will be a blend of global and local programming. HISTORY will present a slate of original, globally-focused premium documentary series as well as short-form specials, complemented by a careful curation of 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 particular passions for football. Supported by players, coaches, journalists and experts, the History of Football will be a deep exploration of the sport from multiple perspectives.

“We conceived History of Football as a deeply immersive television event capitalising on one of those rare moments in our global culture, the World Cup, when a huge segment of the world population becomes so passionately connected,” said A+E Networks International’s executive MD Patrick Vien. “HISTORY’s world-class storytelling has produced and curated a unique combination of global and local programming, long-form and short-form, to give viewers a wide swath of football content that, all combined, will tell the many phenomenal stories that define the game. It’s the biggest international programming initiative HISTORY has undertaken and I could not be prouder of our team.”

Social media activations, including polls, Q+As with experts, discussions and interactions with local football brands will aim to create debate and the sharing of opinions on some of the most influential players, managers and moments in the game’s history.

“With opinions on football so strong amongst fans worldwide, HISTORY’s vast programming slate for this event will aim to engage and ignite an entertaining debate on exactly what were the ultimate historic moments of the sport, who stands as the best player in history, which coaches most shaped the game and so much more,” said Dan Korn, executive producer of History of Football and VP of programming for A+E UK. “For both the most intense and the more casual fans, HISTORY will present 14 days of nothing but the story of the game.”