Korean telephony/internet World Cup deal signed

Daum Communications Corp has signed an exclusive new media broadcast agreement for the FIFA World Cup covering the territory of South Korea. The rights granted cover the mobile telephony and world wide web categories and include up to four minutes of video material per match for "near-live" and/or delayed highlight coverage on mobile phones and via the internet.

Sports Business reports that Daum "will exploit these rights on its own internet portal and intends to collaborate with mobile operators in the territory relating to the mobile rights."

Oliver Seibert, executive director of FIFA's marketing agents Infront Sports & Media, said the deal covers covers all 64 matches of the 2006 World Cup. and full access to the archive material from the 2002 World Cup, which took place in Korea and Japan. The license is valid until October 2006.

Daum Communications Corp is a global media company with businesses in communication, online shopping, entertainment and finances, with more than 37 million registered members. In 2004, it acquired a 100 per cent ownership of Lycos Inc.