French Football Federation Secures YouTube Partnership with Base79

Base79, Europe’s leading online video company and the largest YouTube network in the Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA) region, has revealed an exclusive media partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF), the governing body for football in France.

The exclusive partnership sees Base79 provide digital video syndication, audience development, rights management and advertising sales services for the FFF. Base79 will be responsible for building channels and audiences for FFF, maximizing revenues from its original content. The partnership starts with the live streaming of an international friendly in the UK, the Netherlands and Japan, when France plays Germany on 6th February in Paris.

Base 79 is fast becoming the only truly global multi-channel network (MCN) and is supported by an expanding international network with operations in France, Spain, US, Germany, Australia and the UK. Base79 will continue to launch offices in continental Europe and beyond through 2013.

Julie-Anne Gross, Head of TV rights at FFF comments: “We’re incredibly excited to partner with Base79 and to start our relationship with the live streaming of a very important friendly match against Germany through YouTube. We recognize YouTube as an increasingly important channel for our audiences in France and across the World who want to have access to our news and live events, wherever they might be. As the largest YouTube partner in Europe, Base79 understands our domestic and international markets as well as having a great heritage in driving digital revenues for sports brands worldwide.”

Alongside the newly-formed FFF partnership, a rapidly growing number of sports brands are partnering with Base79 and relying on their digital expertise. This includes a number of prestigious sports brands across Football, Tennis, Rugby, Golf, Extreme Sports, Motorsports and many others.

Base79 CEO Ashley MacKenzie commented: “Sport in general, but particularly football has a rapidly growing audience. Audiences of billions are looking for new channels through which to get access to the latest news and live events. Alongside being one of YouTube’s largest partners, we’re fast establishing ourselves as the clear leaders in online video and one of the only truly global multi-channel networks. We’re very excited to welcome the FFF to our impressive stable of sports brands.”