Virgin Media, the commercial pay-TV Irish broadcaster, has announced the launch of DAZN's FAST channel dedicated to women's soccer. This move marks a significant step in expanding coverage of women's sports and providing fans with more opportunities to engage with their favorite teams and players.
The new channel will feature comprehensive coverage of several major women's soccer leagues including the UEFA Women’s Champions League matches, Liga F, and the Saudi Women’s Premier League. This addition is part of Virgin Media's recent expansion strategy that saw it launch a suite of 15 FAST channel
The inclusion of these leagues provides an opportunity for fans to follow some top-tier competitions in women's football. It also signifies a growing recognition for women’s sports on global platforms.
Virgin Media also have UEFA competitions in their portfolio
In addition to launching the DAZN FAST channel, Virgin Media has further cemented its relationship with UEFA by securing rights to 166 games each season across three campaigns from European soccer’s top-tier UEFA Champions League matches (UCL). The rights cover three seasons: 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27.
David Bouchier, chief TV and entertainment officer at Virgin Media, said:
“The introduction of DAZN’s FAST channel on Virgin TV demonstrates our commitment to enhance our entertainment offering and champion women’s sport – of which we’re proud to be the first pay-TV provider in the UK to offer a FAST channel dedicated to women’s football.”
Hannah Brown, co-chief executive of women’s sport at DAZN, said:
“Partnering with Virgin Media is another way DAZN is ensuring that more people watch top-class women’s football on the platform of their choice. DAZN is committed to growing the audience and value of women’s football and is pleased that Virgin has joined us as a premium distribution partner.”
Virgin slowly establishing its name as one of biggest players
This deal extends Virgin Media's existing partnership with both the UEFA governing body and its Team Marketing agency partner. The broadcaster also holds rights during the ongoing 2021-24 cycle which demonstrates their commitment towards promoting European football at all levels.
There are several benefits to this development for fans of sports, especially football fans: Increased access: With more games being broadcast across various leagues, fans have greater access. A dedicated channel for women's soccer promotes diversity in sports broadcasting. Fan engagement: More coverage means more opportunities for fan engagement – from live matches to highlights and analysis.
The launch of DAZN’s women’s soccer channel on Virgin Media is a significant step towards promoting and celebrating women's sports. It not only provides fans with more content but also contributes to the broader goal of achieving gender equality in sports broadcasting.
