OPTUS ENLISTS AUSSIE FOOTBALL GREATS TO JOIN ITS 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP TEAM AS WORLD CUP PROGRAMS ARE ANNOUNCED

Optus has announced the full guest line up who will provide expert commentary and insights to Optus Sport’s broadcast of the 2018 FIFA World Cup^TM, as well as its dedicated programming for the tournament.

The all-star guest line-up includes John Aloisi, Tony Popovic, Brett Emerton, Paul Okon, Shane Smeltz, Luke Wilkshire, Alex Wilkinson, Tony Vidmar, Amy Harrison and Sasa Ognenovski.

Optus Sport will also have two dedicated travelling reporters in Russia, highly-respected presenter Michael Zappone, who will be embedded with the Socceroos during their campaign in Russia, and Premier League journalist Kelly Somers, who will follow the biggest matches and storylines as they unfold on the ground throughout the tournament.

They will be joined by Optus Sport’s anchor crew of hosts consisting of Richard Bayliss, Mel McLaughlin and Jules Breach and analysts Mark Schwarzer and Michael Bridges.

Optus Sport Executive Producer Richard Bayliss said, “We’re incredibly proud of the team we’ve assembled, one which will engage with Optus Sport subscribers while providing a staggering amount of access and insight.

“It’s a well-respected team of professionals because of their achievements in the game and considering the stories they have to tell along with their passion for the tournament, bringing them together is going to be enjoyable for both the viewers and us,” said Mr Bayliss.   

OPTUS SPORT PRODUCED PROGRAMMING

Every match day Optus Sport will be producing dedicated World Cup programs for its subscribers, in addition to access to all 64 matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup^TM live and on-demand.  The Optus Sport produced programs include:

Match Coverage, on 2018 FIFA World Cup^TM Match Days

Optus Sport hosts and analysts will support all its live broadcast of the matches with pre-match build up, half-time insight, player and coach interviews and post-match analysis. Led by Mel McLaughlin and Jules Breach, match coverage will feature Mark Schwarzer, Michael Bridges and rotating guests;

From Russia With Love, 9PM on 2018 FIFA World Cup^TM Match Days

Hosted by Mel McLaughlin, From Russia With Love will see Mel joined by Mark Schwarzer and a range of rotating guests for a relaxed look-ahead to each huge night of football, with the latest from around Russia – capturing the essence of the tournament on and off the pitch;  

Countdown to Kick-Off, 9:30PM on 2018 FIFA World Cup^TM Match Days

Countdown to Kick-Off is where the tension builds, and the final pre-match nerves are captured. Mel McLaughlin and Mark Schwarzer will be joined by a range of rotating guests, with the focus in the stadium as teams make their final preparations before kick-off;

Added Time: Live, 6AM on 2018 FIFA World Cup^TM Match Days

Added Time: Live is a wrap of all the on-field action from match days, led by Jules Breach with additional commentary provided by Michael Bridges and a range of rotating guests. The show will break down all the match highlights and action that people may have missed overnight;

Red Square Live, 6:30AM on 2018 FIFA World Cup^TM Match Days

Richard Bayliss will be hosting Red Square Live from our studio in the heart of Moscow at the 2018 FIFA World Cup^TM. Richard will be joined by an array of international talent, who will discuss the stories of the day, along with the analysis and reaction to all the key moments from across Russia.

Goal-a-thon

In addition to programming every match day, Optus Sport will be producing four editions of Goal-a-thon, a program hosted by Michelle Escobar which will showcase the best goals from the tournament. This show will air at four points: After the group Stage, After the Round of 16, After the Quarter-Finals and After the Final

Other Programming

Optus Sport will be broadcasting up to 11.5 hours of live programming each matchday including its live match coverage.  In addition, as an official broadcaster, Optus Sport will have access to the full array of FIFA produced material throughout the 2018 FIFA World Cup.  This includes the FIFA TV Preview show and FIFA TV Highlights show compiled each matchday, plus other exclusive material compiled by the 32 FIFA TV crews who will be located with each team, and the 8 FIFA TV story crews who will provide regular daily content for Optus’ use.  Optus Sport subscribers can expect to see team training and press conferences, coach and player interviews, team arrivals at match venues and other exclusive interviews as they happen throughout the tournament.

Optus Sport will release regular updates highlighting its daily and weekly programming including each of the 39 matches it will show exclusively closer to the tournament. 

HOW TO WATCH

Optus is presenting the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ in partnership with SBS, with Optus Sport being the only place to watch all 64 games of the 2018 FIFA World Cup^TM live and on demand.

Optus Sport is available to a range of eligible Optus customers on a wide variety of platforms. These include compatible smartphones (iOS and Android), on TV (Fetch TV, Apple TV, Chromecast and the like), on tablets and on the web.  Plus, from later this month, Optus Sport will be available for the first time to non-Optus customers and Optus customers who were previously not eligible, for $14.99 per month.[1]

Optus Sport is the only place to watch all 64 games of the 2018 FIFA World CupTM live and on demand. All subscribers will be able to access the entire breadth of Optus Sport’s 2018 FIFA World Cup TM coverage, including two 24/7 channels, every single match both live and on-demand, highlights, replays and analysis. Subscribers also get Optus Sport’s entire array of dedicated World Cup programming. Visit Optus Sport for further details on how to watch every match.^[2]

FIFA WORLD CUP APP

Australians will also be able to stay on the ball anytime and on the go with the official FIFA World Cup™ app, due to launch soon. Optus Sport subscribers will be able to watch all 64 matches of the 2018 tournament live via the app, which will be available early June. The app is being provided as a collaboration with SBS and SBS’s match of the day will be free for all users on the app.

To find out more about Optus Sport people can visit https://sport.optus.com.au/.                                                                                                          

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Media contact:
Candice Lester/Michelle Pacey
Optus Corporate Affairs
(02) 8082 7850
media@optus.com.au

[1] Personal viewing in Australia. Compatible device, and Australian app store account required. Charges may apply (see optus.com.au/fifa)

[2] Optus is broadcasting the 2018 FIFA World Cup in association with SBS which will be broadcasting one live match per matchday. All times mentioned are AEST. Check Guides for local times.