StarTimes to broadcast 2018 Ballon D’Or ceremony

Africa’s leading digital TV operator, StarTimes on Thursday announced that it would broadcast the 2018 Ballon d’Or ceremony with its World Football Channel on December 3.

Ballon d’Or is considered by many as the highest honour for football players. And the past 10 years has seen only two players win the award – Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo. But this year’s Ballon d’Or is highly possible to be the edition to end the 10-year reign with reports suggesting that Luka Modric is likely to win the honour after he recently won the Best FIFA Men’s Player award.

The live broadcast of the 2018 Ballon d’Or Ceremony with StarTimes World Football is to start at 20:00 GMT on December 3, which is to unveil the winner in real time.

“This year’ Ballon d’Or ceremony definitely attracts wide attention of football fans and we may see a historic moment that a new winner of the award in 10 years,” said Shi Maochu, StarTimes Sports Director.

“Live broadcast of the 2018 Ballon d’Or shows our commitment to fans that StarTimes always search for best football contents. We brought all 64 HD World Cup matches to African fans this summer, and we continuously offer top international football matches to audience, such as Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Coppa Italia.”

According to the StarTimes Sports Director, local football leagues are important part of the company’s content strategy.

He added: “StarTimes became the strategic partner of three African football championships, in Ghana, Uganda and Senegal. With these partnerships, StarTimes intends to promote the leagues in sub-Saharan Africa and improves the popularity of African football.”