Fox takes over Mexico’s Caliente TV in bid to grow sports streaming footprint

Fox in the US has bought streaming platform Caliente TV

Fox in the US has acquired Mexican sports-skewing channel and streaming platform Caliente TV, and appointed veteran executive Carlos Martinez to oversee the company’s broadcast strategy in Latin America.

In his new role as executive VP and MD, Latin America, Martinez will oversee the transition as Fox takes over Caliente and prepares to launch the service in Central America.

He has previously held executive roles at companies such as Turner Broadcasting System, Discovery and Fox.

His remit includes leading operations of the new Fox channels and platforms in Mexico and Central America, which are expected to employ more than 350 people.

Fox said the deal, financial details of which have not been disclosed, expands its sports broadcasting footprint in Mexico.

The company plans to develop a multi-platform business that will include the launch of a new pay TV channel and an SVoD platform, enabling it to produce and distribute around 3,000 hours of original sports content.

The deal also sees Fox take over Caliente’s lucrative portfolio of premium sports rights, which includes coverage of the English Premier League and FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League and France’s Ligue 1.

Fox is looking to bolster its digital sports content offering as streaming platforms continue to muscle in on the hotly contested sector. In the US in particular, streaming is becoming the favoured way to consume content. Earlier this week, a report from Nielson revealed that streaming has outpaced the combined share of broadcast and cable TV viewing for the first time in the US.

Fox plans to launch direct-to-consumer streaming platform Fox One later this year and already owns AVoD offering Tubi.

Martinez said: “Fox’s investment to acquire Caliente TV reflects our commitment to building a leading sports streaming business in Mexico with massive audience reach, a robust sports rights portfolio and an impressive roster of exclusive sports leagues and talent.”