RAI bows sports net

Digital TV chan Raisport to b'cast free, not much Soccer

By CECILIA ZECCHINELLI

MILAN -- Italy's pubcaster RAI presented its first thematic digital TV channel in Rome Tuesday: The Raisport service is free and will initially broadcast eight hours a day via Hotbird satellites. By the end of the year it will air 24 hours a day, RAI said.

Raisport has cut exclusive deals for several national championships, including baseball, basketball, volleyball, American football, hockey, boxing and rowing. It will also air some tennis, ski, sailing, bike and field events.

Soccer will be little seen on the net, as Italy's pay TV platforms are closing exclusive deals for that sport.

RAI president Roberto Zaccaria said Raisport will be an important tool to develop Italy's satellite and digital market.