Web to Screen World Cup Highlights for First Time
Mon Apr 29, 8:34 AM ET

SUNNYVALE, California (Reuters) - Fans around the world will be able to
watch World Cup highlights on the internet for the first time, internet
company Yahoo! said on Monday.


Yahoo!, KirchSport of Germany and FIFA, world soccer's governing body, have
reached agreement on showing highlights of all 64 matches at the World Cup
in South Korea (news - web sites) and Japan between May 31 and June 30.

Tonya Antonucci, Yahoo!'s general manager told Reuters that Yahoo! believed
hundreds of thousands of fans around the world would pay the $19.95 fee to
log on to the service.

"We believe there is tremendous consumer interest around the world and that
the service will complement traditional TV broadcasting," she said.

"The passion of fans for the game is limitless and we believe the numbers
of fans watching the new service should be in six figures."

Given the significant time difference between South Korea, Japan, Europe
and the Americas, record numbers of fans are expected to visit
FIFAworldcup.com at all hours of the day.

The service will provide:

-- four minutes of professionally-produced video highlights available
around three hours after the final game of the day has finished

-- highlights enabling fans the ability to find their favorite moments,
such as all the goals by their favorite team

-- commentaries in six languages -- English, French, Japanese, Korean,
Spanish and German

-- Exclusive video screensavers and vintage World Cup TV and film footage,
telling the story of the last 10 World Cups.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter added: "This is an important agreement which
ushers in a new era in communication and allows football fans greater
choice, giving them the ability to access the event and enjoy the action,
wherever they are in the world.

"I am particularly pleased that it has been done in complementary fashion
that respects the role of our broadcast partners."

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