Disney Unveils Women’s Champions League Hosts
Alex Scott, host of the BBC show Football Focus, has been enlisted by Disney to host its coverage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League from next month. ESPN will produce all 75 live matches, with commentary offered in multiple languages, alongside pre- and post-match content. Every game will include an on-site presenter and analyst in English, as well as a line-up of former internationals. Other hosts include Jeanette Kwakye, Ben Haines, Shebahn Aherne, Archie Rhind-Tutt, Gemma Soler, Sirayah Shiraz, and Sanne van Dongen. Analysts include Fara Williams, Ellen White, Nedum Onuoha, Vicky Losada, Karen Bardsley, Josephine Henning, Siobhan Chamberlain, Emma Byrne, and Merel van Dongen. Commentators are Vicki Sparks, Jacqui Oatley, Flo Pollock, Rob Palmer, Emma Jones, Mike Minay, Chris Sharples, Steve Jamieson, and Jack Woodward.
ITV Names Acquisitions Chief
ITV has promoted Darren Nartey, senior acquisitions manager for films and kids, to lead its content acquisition team. Taking on the role this week, he replaces Sasha Breslau, who joined HBO Max over the summer as vice president of content acquisitions in the UK and Ireland. Nartey joined ITV in 2015 and had a hand in acquisitions, including The Oscars, the James Bond library, and the Harry Potter franchise. He will report to Craig Morris, director of channels, ITVX, and acquisitions.
Australia’s Seven West & Southern Cross Merge
Australian companies Seven West Media and Southern Cross Media Group have agreed an AU$416M ($275M) merger. Under the deal, Australian business mogul Kerry Stokes will step down as chair of Seven West Media, but will remain chair of the combined company until February 2026. Seven West owns Seven Network, one of Australia’s biggest commercial networks, while Southern Cross is the largest radio broadcaster in the country.