Singapore – ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) announced the successful acquisition of exclusive pay-TV rights for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Qatar 2011, the continent’s top football event, across its footprint covering 24 countries in Asia. Through this deal, managed by World Sport Group (WSG), the AFC’s exclusive marketing and media partner, fans will enjoy a comprehensive and engaging experience on ESPN STAR Sports with the AFC Asian Cup 2011 available live on multiple platforms for the very first time. ESPN STAR Sports has a strong tradition in showcasing top-class sports properties on its networks and this win reaffirms its commitment to bring the best of Asian football to fans. In addition, leading up to the event, ESPN STAR Sports will broadcast the 16-episode programme, Road to Doha, highlighting the teams and their preparation as they gear up to compete in Doha, Qatar from 7 to 29 January 2011 for the most coveted trophy in Asia. The acquisition augments ESPN STAR Sports’ Asian football offering, and reinforces its reputation as the home of football. All 32 matches will be broadcast on television across ESPN and STAR Sports networks, and for the first time fans can watch the high-definition broadcast of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 on ESPN HD. The event will also be available online live and on-demand on ESPN Player – ESPN STAR Sports’ revolutionary broadband network that offers anytime, anywhere access to live world-class sports content, and a fully online interactive experience for users to enjoy their viewing experience with other sport fans. In addition, football fans on the move can catch daily news and goals from the event on mobileESPN. The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 features the top 16 teams in the region, including defending champions Iraq and the four Asian contenders in the recent FIFA World Cup – Korea Republic, Japan, Australia, and DPR Korea. Favourites China, a regional powerhouse and India which aims to become a significant player on the world stage have also qualified for the competition.