TapDMV secures Philippine broadcast rights to USA Basketball Showcase

With the United States hoping for a successful fifth title defense in Paris, USA Basketball has arranged for a few exhibitions to help keep the team sharp.

Called the USA Basketball Showcase, it will take place in the next couple of weeks across the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, before the actual action takes place at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the French capital.

They will face off against tough competition, each of which are also set to play in the Olympics, too.

The schedule of the USA Basketball Showcase is as follows (Philippine Time):

● July 11 (Thursday), 10:30 a.m. - vs. Canada (Las Vegas, United States)

● July 16 (Tuesday), 12:00 a.m. - vs. Australia (Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.)

● July 18 (Thursday), 12:00 a.m. - vs. Serbia (Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.)

● July 21 (Sunday), 3:00 a.m. - vs. South Sudan (London, United Kingdom)

● July 23 (Tuesday), 3:00 a.m. - vs. Germany (London, United Kingdom)

All of these matches are going to be available locally, thanks to the collaboration of Tap Digital Media Ventures (TapDMV).

In sharing the announcement, BlastTV and Blast Sports Chief Growth Officer Jacque M. Ruby shares, "We are delighted to bring this incredible series of exhibition games featuring USA Basketball’s star-studded roster. The USA Basketball Showcase is a must-watch event for every Filipino fan, and we are proud to deliver coverage on our free-to-air and pay TV channels and the BlastTV app."

TapDMV will have the exhibitions shown on free-to-air channel Blast Sports, as well as onto its cable TV sports channels: Tap Sports, Premier Sports 1, Premier Sports 2 and Premier Football. Those who have the streaming platform BlastTV will also have the games.

Aside from these matches, TapDMV also will show a couple more exhibitions live: Australia against Serbia at midnight on July 17, as well as the United States' women's team against their German counterparts at 3am on July 24.

Beginning Thursday, July 11 through Tuesday, July 23, Tap Digital Media Ventures (TapDMV) will deliver the USA Basketball Showcase to fans in the Philippines through free-to-air channel Blast Sports, cable TV channels Tap Sports, Premier Sports 1, Premier Sports 2 and Premier Football, and streaming platform BlastTV.

With most of the matches being early in the day, Blast Sports will show the games via delayed broadcast at 8am.

Seeking the gold once again for the United States are: Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, and Derrick White.

Serving as their head coach is Steve Kerr, with Mark Few, Ty Lue, and Erik Spoelstra acting as his assistants.

For more information on Blast TV, visit app.blasttv.ph, download the Blast TV App on the App Store and Google Play, and follow Blast TV (@blasttvph) on Facebook, Instagram and X.

TAP secures Qatar World Cup broadcast rights

Coming to TAP DMV (graphic via FIFA)

Filipino football fans will be able to quench their thirst for world-class football thanks to TAP Digital Media Ventures (TAP), as they secured full media rights to the 2022 edition of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

TAP made that announcement on Thursday, with the plan to funnel the event onto a new pay-per-view channel called World Cup TV (WC TV).

As one of FIFA's official broadcasters, TAP will broadcast ALL of the games of the competition, as well as its accompanying content.

Gonzalo de Guia, TAP DMV's Chief Technology Officer, shares, "That’s all 64 matches involving 32 nations from the group stages to the knockout stages including the Round of 16, the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Finals, will be broadcast live on World Cup TV including all player and coach pre and post-game interviews, match highlights, off-pitch special features as well as replays.  We are very excited to be able to air one of the world’s most popular events involving the global game."

As for Group Stage matches that will have simultaneous kickoff, TAP is expected to showcase both matches, with those using the TAPGo app earning the ability to switch between the games. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, one of the world’s greatest sporting events is coming to the Philippines via WC TV.

At just PhP 1999, football fans in the Philippines will have the chance to partake of WC TV when it is unveiled this coming November, with the channel then serving as part of TAP platform of showing top-tier sports coverage once the World Cup is over.

TAP will reveal more details about WC TV in the next few months through their official Facebook page.

Striegl set for UFC return with documentary

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

Mark Striegl is set to make his return to the Octagon next month, as the Filipino-American mixed martial artist goes up against Chas Skelly in a featherweight matchup in UFC Fight Night 202 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Striegl is looking to bounce back after a disappointing debut back in October, having been knocked out  in the first round by Said Nurmagomedov in UFC Fight Night 180.

He shares, "I am super excited about this fight. I have signed a contract for the fight. Oddly enough, Chas and I have the same professional fight record of 18-3-0 (wins-loss-draws). I am definitely excited and gunning for my first win."

Mark has been training at George Castro's MMA Lab in Peoria, Arizona since the start of the year. He shares about his preparations, "There is a huge advantage coming in early to the United States where I get to train in one place as opposed to moving around in Manila because of the pandemic protocols," he explains.

He also notes, "It’s all camp training and working out then rest. It allows me to really focus and prepare. Some fighters have the benefit of several months of training, but we take what is given to us and make the most out of the opportunity."

Striegl also notes, "Plus, I get to train under a former MMA fighter in George himself."

Helping him prepare for the fight is four-time All-American Bryce Meredith, who recently made his Legacy Fighting Alliance debut with a TKO win over Steven Merrill.

On how the Wyoming alum can help his preparations, Mark expounds, "When you work with high level training partners, it really increases your learning and confidence."

The run-up to the February 20 fight also includes a three-part mini-documentary being produced by TAP Digital Media Ventures, who also has the broadcast rights for the UFC in the Philippines. The documentary, called "Mark Streigl: The Road Back to the UFC," is slated for broadcast on February 2, 9, and 16, and it recounts his journey from Japan into the different fight outfits he was involved in until now with the UFC.

TAP DMV marketing manager Rely San Agustin says, "TAP DMV is excited to be working with Mark Striegl and to bring not only his fights, but also the UFC to the Filipino audience which is considered as one of the most rabid MMA fan bases in the world."

UFC Fight Night 202 is set to be broadcast on Premier Sports via cable television, as well as their streaming app Tap Go.

PGA Tour now on Premier Sports 2/TAP Go

PGA on TAP

TAP DMV has snapped up another sports property, as it officially announced its partnership with Discovery and the PGA Tour for 2022.

Discovery and the PGA Tour recently entered into a strategic alliance that allows the former to help in the optimization of the latter's international rights and distribution.

The deal officially commenced starting last week. with Cameron Smith claiming the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Kapalua Plantation in Hawaii.

PGA Tour Senior Vice President for International Media Thierry Pascal shares, "The PGA TOUR and Discovery continue to look for opportunities to further grow the TOUR’s international audience around the world.  Partnerships with the best and most innovative broadcast partners are key in this regard, so we are particularly looking forward to live PGA TOUR action coming to the Philippines with Premier Sports 2 and TapGo."

He adds, "We look forward to providing more live coverage than ever before for all the passionate golf fans across the Philippines."

From TAP DMV's end, Chief Technology Officer Gonzalo “Bogie” De Guia says, "We are very excited to bring the Filipino golf fan regular live action of the best players and so many of the greatest tournaments in the world that the PGA TOUR offer. Our 2022 lineup for Premier Sports 2 and TapGo will feature the very best coverage from the PGA TOUR starting this weekend.  We can’t wait to get started."

The PGA Tour tweaked its schedule for 2022, which includes among other things:

• A Saturday finish at the Farmers Insurance Open
• The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Waste Management Phoenix Open swapping spots, allowing the latter to remain as the tournament that takes place before the Super Bowl.
• The Genesis Scottish Open will be co-sanctioned by both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour for the first time, allowing its participants to earn points in both the FedExCup and the Race to Dubai.
• Two World Golf Championships events in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play this March and the WGC-HSBC Champions this October.
• The FedEx St. Jude Championship becoming the first of three FedExCup Playoff events in the summer. After those three events, the remainder of the FedExCup Playoffs commence in August.
• The Mexico Open is officially a regular full-field event on the PGA Tour schedule.
• Delaware is hosting its first PGA Tour event, with the South Course of the Wilmington Country Club being the venue of the BMW Championship.
• Quail Hollow Club is set to host the upcoming President's Cup, and as a result, the Wells Fargo Championship will take at the TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm in Maryland.

TAP DMV has crafted a new linear television channel to host these events, called Premier Sports 2, with over a hundred local cable providers, including industry leaders Cignal TV and SkyCable.

It is also available on TAP's OTT platform, TAP Go. Subscribers will be able to watch the events with the Premium Plus package, which is PhP 599/monthly.

TAP Go set for Probellum broadcast featuring Casimero, Mama

 

TAP DMV has snapped up another sporting event, as they secured the broadcast rights for Probellum: Revolution.

The boxing event will take place at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai on December 12, with the broadcast set to start at midnight, live on Tap Go. Those who prefer to watch it on television can check out Tap Sports on their cable provider at 9pm for a same day telecast.

The main event features a WBO bantamweight title matchup between the champion John Riel Casimero (31-4) and the challenger Paul Butler (33-2). Also featured is the IBF flyweight title fight between two 16-0 fighters in the form of champion Jayson Mama and challenger Sunny Edwards.

Butler makes his first foray outside the United Kingdom as he tries to snatch away the belt from Casimero, who is not fazed by the need to travel overseas. The Brit is fresh from claiming the WBO International Bantamweight title from Willibaldo Garcia back in June via split decision.

The champ is also fresh from a split decision victory last August at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

As for the co-main, this matchup is fresh from a three-month postponement due to Edwards incurring an injury. Mama hopes to claim his first title with a victory.

In addition, Donnie Nietes is set to make his return to the ring against Norbelto Jimenez in a WBA Super Flyweight title eliminator.

The 39-year-old four-division champion will be facing a 30-year-old smarting from two missed title opportunities, drawing against Aliu Bamidele Lasisi for the WBC International Super Flyweight title and a defeat to Khalid Yafai for the WBA World Super Flyweight title.

Tap Sports snags AFF Suzuki Cup broadcast rights

The premier regional competition in ASEAN is headed to TapGo.

Tap Digital Media Ventures (Tap DMV) recently revealed their media acquisition on their social media, followed by the official announcement by the ASEAN Football Federation.

The deal ensure TAP has exclusive rights to the competition in the Philippines, broadcasting all the matches of the tournament, including the semifinals and finals.

AFF President Major General Khiev Sameth says, "We are pleased that... TAP DMV have come on board to further expand the coverage of the AFF Suzuki Cup to reach more fans and new audiences in Asia. Few sporting events in Asia come close to the level of popularity and interest that the AFF Suzuki Cup garner, and we are glad that our fans in... Philippines are now able to catch all the best football action from the comforts of their homes."

SPORTFIVE SEAsia Managing Director Malcolm Thorpe adds, "We are delighted to welcome... TAP DMV as official broadcasters of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 for... the Philippines.... The continued interest in the event from major broadcast partners clearly demonstrates the attractiveness of the AFF Suzuki Cup across Asia, and not just in the ASEAN region. We are certain that fans in all these countries will be enthralled with the exhilarating football action and we look forward to working with these experienced media partners to deliver one of the most highly anticipated editions of the AFF Suzuki Cup to all our football fans in these regions."

Of course, Filipinos are very much excited for the chance to watch the Philippines compete in the twice-postponed tournament, although the road towards a return trip to the semifinals is very much complicated.

They kick things off against hosts and three-time champions Singapore on December 8, followed by Timor Leste on the 11th and five-time champions Thailand on the 14th, all of which take place at the Singapore National Stadium.

The Azkals close out against Myanmar at Bishan Stadium on the 18th.

Under Scott Cooper, the Azkals will be led by team captain Stephan Schroeck, with vice captain Patrick Reichelt, Martin Steuble, and Amani Aguinaldo getting the chance to participate in their fourth AFF Suzuki Cup.

Leading the way for the newcomers is newly naturalized striker Bienvenido Maranon, alongside Malaysia League standout Kevin Ray Mendoza (Hansen) of Kuala Lumpur City FC and the much anticipated senior debut of Jesper Nyholm of Djurgardens IF.

Also present is Jefferson Tabinas of Japanese side Mito Hollyrock, whose stint in the dual World Cup/Asian Cup qualifying earned praise and plaudits from fans and analysts alike.

TAP DMV is expected to show its games on Premier Football on television, which is available on the major cable networks. For those who have the TapGo app, one can watch the games with at least the TapGo Premium plans, which are available for just PhP 299/monthly.

TAP renews deal with Aussie NBL

Tap Digital Media Ventures secured another partnership on its sporting portfolio, entering into an exclusive multi-year deal with the National Basketball League, allowing TAP to remain the home of top flight Australian basketball.

The partnership allows TAP to showcase live and delayed NBL content, as well as highlights, on its linear channel TAP Sports and its OTT platform TAP Go.

Hungry Jack’s NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger shares, "We are delighted to be partnered with Tap to broadcast NBL games in the Philippines."

This season's iteration of the Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League will be special, with the presence of the young Filipino national team prospect Kai Sotto on the Adelaide 36ers roster.

The 7'2" 19-year old joined the 36ers as a pathway towards the NBA, signing a two-year deal with an option for a third. He joins a growing list of prospects who recognize the league's potential in getting them ready to enter the NBA Draft, including Terrance Ferguson, RJ Hampton and LaMelo Ball.

The team is currently in Tasmania participating in the NBL Blitz, a preseason tournament that would help the participants get themselves ready for the upcoming campaign.

Kai has played in just one game for the 36ers so far, netting seven points, five rebounds, and a block against Cairns in the preseason opener.

Loeliger adds, "There is huge Filipino interest in the NBL this season thanks to Kai Sotto’s signing in Adelaide and we are excited Filipino fans will have access to NBL content throughout the year.”

TAP DMV Chief Technology Officer Gonzalo "Bogie" De Guia also shares, "Kai Sotto is one of the most promising Filipino basketball players to ever come out of the Philippines. With the NBL coming to Tap Go and Tap Sports, the country will be able to watch him closely and continue to follow his journey in the international basketball scene. No doubt, he will become a dominant force in the league. We can’t wait to get started."

The 36ers will not only have Sotto as their only major newcomer, as they have tapped former Australian international CJ Bruton to be their head coach. He will make his head coaching debut with the team after spending the last five seasons as an assistant with the Brisbane Bullets. Adelaide also tapped Mitch McCarron as the one tasked mainly to fill the hole as a result of the departure of Josh Giddey.

Adelaide kicks off their season on December 3 as they face the Perth Wildcats.

TAP remains in negotiations with the league as to the extent of the games set for local broadcast.

The NBL adds to the depth of TAP's commitment to showcase the best of the Filipino athlete or those who trace their roots to the archipelago, from the B.League to the WTA, LPGA, and the Asian Tour.

Filipino-American Jordan Williams set for UFC 268

Bomaye set to take part at UFC 268

Expected to make headlines at the much-anticipated UFC 268 this weekend is the rematch between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington for the welterweight title. Also deserving some attention is another rematch, this time between Rose Namajunas and Zhang Weili for the women's strawweight title, the co-main to the Usman-Covington main event.

However, someone that potentially could warrant some attention to Filipino fight fanatics in particular is tucked away in the Prelims.

In fact, opening the prelims portion of UFC 268 is a matchup between Jordan Williams and Ian Garry. Whilst the latter is making his UFC debut after winning his first seven fights, the former still seeks his first official win inside the Octagon.

Williams earned his way into the UFC through the Dana White's Contender Series. After a no-contest against Tim Caron back in 2018 and a loss against Ramazan Kuramagomedov in 2019, he broke through with knockout victory over Gregory Rodrigues in September 2020.

He shares, "I fought my way into the UFC. I am going to do my best to stay there. It is electrifying to be here in the UFC. I was a mix of emotions to be in the UFC after putting in a decade of work. I was dancing, crying, smiling..."

That paved the way for a couple of fights inside the Octagon, a unanimous decision loss against Nassourdine Imavov in Fight Night: Holm vs Aldana last October 2020 and a submission defeat against Mickey Gall at Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Dillashaw this past July.

Facing Garry, who earned his ticket into the UFC with his experience at Cage Warriors, Jordan says, "It’s going to be a technical match-up. He’s (Ian) a very good striker and his IQ is far from where his career is supposed to be. He mixes it up a lot. I like the match-up. It’s going to be a big match. At this point, I need to prove I belong."

He adds, "I need to derail his hype train and put myself on those tracks."

The man called "Bomaye" has a multi-faceted ancestry, having American, German, Nigerian, and Filipino ancestry. His Filipino heritage can be traced to his grandfather, who came over to the United States via the US Navy. Jordan is very much proud of his roots, showcasing all of them with tattoos on his right shoulder, or also known as his "heritage shoulder."

Jordan concludes, "I got into MMA because while wrestling in school, my friends and I saw Anderson Silva fight. He was such an inspiration. I would also like to draw inspiration and support from my Filipino roots this Sunday at UFC 268."

UFC 268, which is taking place inside the world-famous Madison Square Garden, will be available locally through the Premier Sports Channel, which is on Channel 272 HD on Cignal and HD 176 or SD 140 (Mega Manila) or HD 761 or SD 307 on Sky. Make sure to check your cable provider for further details.

It is also available through the TapGo Premium Plus plan on the TapGo app, which one can avail at PhP 599/monthly.

UFC All-Access now available on TAP Go

Coming to TAP Go

TAP DMV is doubling down on its investment on the UFC, officially unveiling its specific vertical within its OTT platform TAP Go for UFC All-Access on Thursday. 

UFC All-Access is a mixed martial arts fan's dream, able to satisfy one's craving with content available inside the world's largest MMA library, while also providing live and catch-up action.

One can relive the recent UFC events that have been shown on TAP Go, which includes the last three UFC Fight Nights, as well as the recent episodes of the Dana White Contenders Series, all while waiting for the two big pay-per-view events: UFC 267 and UFC 268, the former featuring the light heavyweight title fight between Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira taking place at Fight Island, and the latter being the much anticipated title rematch between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington.

Other non-live content such as UFC Classics, UFC Submissions, UFC The Walk, UFC Greatest Fights, UFC Ultimate Knockouts and many more can now be accessed on demand simply by downloading TAP Go.

In addition, TAP DMV also revealed on Friday that both TAP Go and its linear television channel Premier Sports are now the exclusive home of UFC in the Philippines.

In making the announcement, TAP DMV Marketing Manager Rely San Agustin shares, "We are excited to bring the Filipino UFC fan all the terrific action of the most exciting MMA organization in the world, through UFC All-Access on TAP GO. Get your fill of all the UFC action both live and non-live programs; all in one TAP."

UFC All-Access is bundled within the TAP Go Premium Plus package, which is available monthly for PhP 599. However, TAP DMV is offering a special promo for the month of October, costing just PhP 1499 for the next three months for those inclined. Fans can either log on to www.tapgo.tv or download the TAP GO app on IOS and Android and click on one of the plans being offered on the site.

F1 set for restart with TAP Go

Coming to TAP Go this weekend.

 

Racing fans need not worry about where they can watch F1.

TAP DMV has snapped up the rights to the remainder of the much-loved global racing competition this season, starting with the Formula 1 Rolex Turkish Grand Prix this weekend.

Those on the go can watch through the TAP Go app, which is available at both iOS and Google Play. To be able to check it out, one has to available of the TAP Go Premium Plus package, which is PhP 599/monthly. However, TAP DMV this October currently has a promo for the next three months at just PhP1500. One can also access this through their computers via www.tapgo.tv.

Those who have cable subscriptions can inquire with their respective local provider for Premier Sports, which is TAP DMV's newest sports linear channel. TAP DMV says that the channel will be made available to over a hundred providers nationwide.

Re-introduced last year after a nine-year hiatus, the race saw Lance Stroll secure his first pole, whilst also becoming the race that clinched Lewis Hamilton's seventh Drivers' Championship.

The 2021 edition looks to have its own drama, as Hamilton tries to fend off Max Verstappen for his eighth title. A potential engine penalty could force the Mercedes maven to start from the back, which would be to the advantage of the Dutch star of Red Bull Racing.

For more information about the Premier Sports, TAP Go, and Tap DMV, log on to www.tapdmv.com.

UFC lands on TAP

Mixed martial arts fans need not worry in the aftermath of Disney's decision to shut down its channels in Asia.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has found a new home. This was made possible with a new partnership with TAP DMV, allowing its content to be shown on its OTT platform TAP Go, as well as its linear channel Premier Sports. Terms for the deal were not disclosed, but it is for multiple years.

The partnership will effectively commence starting October 3 with UFC Fight Night: Santos vs Walker. All in all, 42 live UFC events, including twelve in pay-per-view and thirty UFC Fight Nights will be shown both on TAP Go and Premier Sports. Other UFC-related content will also be made available, like the upcoming Dana White's Contender Series Asia, as well as UFC Countdown, UFC Connected, and archival footage.

Kevin Chang, UFC Senior Vice President - Asia, shares "The Philippines has such a long history and love for combat sports, and UFC has had a tremendous following for many years. Now, more than ever before, our partnership with TAP GO and PREMIER SPORTS will give these fans variety and accessibility to the UFC."

TAP DMV Chief Technology Officer Gonzalo de Guia adds, "We are excited to bring the Filipino UFC fan all the terrific action of the most exciting MMA organization in the world, UFC to TAP GO and PREMIER SPORTS. UFC fans are some of the most passionate and loyal fans and we plan to bring them an incredible menu of UFC content through our platforms. We can’t wait to get started."

Fight fans will be able to subscribe for the UFC with the TAP Go Premium Plus package, which is worth PhP 599 monthly. However, a special promotional deal for the month of October allows subscribers to avail of an introductory promo of PhP 1490 for three months. TAP DMV also expressed interest in crafting a UFC-specific package in the future. One can either download the app on Google Play or the Apple Store or go online at www.tapgo.tv and register.

Do check with your cable provider if the channels under the auspices of TAP DMV are available