Fox Sports en Español locks in Italian Serie A TV rights in the U.S.Through 2010.

Fox Sports en Español announced the acquisition of the exclusive Spanish-language broadcast rights to Italy’s world-renowned Serie A. Beginning this August and running through the 2009/2010 season, Fox Sports en Español’s comprehensive coverage of Serie A will feature up to four matches each weekend. The network will also introduce a dedicated half-hour Serie A highlights show recapping all of the weekend’s matches. On-air commentators, and the complete telecast schedule, will be announced at a later date.

The rights were acquired from Media Partners & Silva, the international sports agency that owns and distributes the Italian Serie A media rights worldwide. As part of the agreement, Fox Sports en Español will become the exclusive Spanish-language television destination for Italian Serie A in the country; prior to this deal, rights were shared with GolTV.

“We are proud to become the official Spanish-language television destination for Italy’s Serie A and to be able to continue to deliver to our viewers the highest quality and most comprehensive coverage in Spanish of top-flight domestic and international soccer,” said David Sternberg, executive vice president and general manager of Fox Sports en Español. “Reigning World Cup champion Italy not only boasts some of the world’s top players, but is also home to powerhouse clubs AC Milan, Juventus and AS Roma that are sure to deliver the high-adrenaline, elite soccer action that our viewers have come to expect from us.”

While Fox Sports en Español has offered coverage of a limited selection of Italian Serie A matches during the past two years, starting this season, the network will telecast approximately 140 matches and more than 298 hours of Serie A programming yearly.