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Whoopi Goldberg launches channel exclusively dedicated to women’s sports

Whoopi Goldberg launches channel exclusively dedicated to women’s sports

The All Women's Sports Network is available in 65 countries, including India.
14 Nov, 2024

Actor Whoopi Goldberg has launched the world’s first global sports channel dedicated exclusively to broadcasting women’s sports!

During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last week, Goldberg announced the launch of the All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN). She said the channel, which has already launched in the Middle East and Asia — including India — will make a big announcement about its US premiere this week.

“It’ll be the home for live women’s sports from around the world. Everything from soccer, basketball, tennis, cricket, curling, you name it. If a woman is playing it, we’re showing it.”

The Sister Act actor said AWSN has partnered with Commonspirit and the project is “growing really fast”. According to the channel’s website, it’s available in 65 countries and reaches over two billion people.

The idea has been a long time coming. “We don’t really have that relationship with women’s sports so I said, ‘I would like to do this’, and somebody after 16 years maybe said, ‘My, what a good idea!’” she said.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to play sports,” Goldberg said. “My brother could play. He played baseball, he played softball, he played basketball, he played everything And they would say, ‘Oh, hi little girl.’

“It always pissed me off. So, for years, I’ve been talking to people […] I feel like that will help us show that athletics — when they’re done brilliantly — it doesn’t matter who’s doing it.”

Women’s sports are expected to become even bigger in the year ahead, CNBC reported. According to Deloitte in 2024, for the first time, women’s elite sports will generate a revenue of over $1 billion, a 300 per cent increase from 2021.

Comments

Laila Nov 14, 2024 02:31pm
At least in the West girls have access to sports and are encouraged. In Pakistan there are no public sports offers or programmes for girls. Our nation firmly believes sports to be a male activity only and limits sports to cricket (and Kabbadi) only. It's only in recent years we have discovered football (unlike other muslim countries) thanks to the internet and exposure abroad. Even in a huge city like Karachi there aren't options for girls and they can't even swim to save their own life if needed. No ressources for girls to develop and utilize their hidden talents. I find it interesting that even in wartorn Palestine girls compete internationally in sports. We don't even encourage girls to do sports. Yemen, another war torn country are known for their womens historical prowess in sports. Majority Pakistani awaam shuns female sports under the guise of Haya. Meanwhile Muslims girls outside Pakistan are fencing, running, swimming, playing football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, table tennis, doing weightlifting, wrestling, and martial arts, being equestrians, and even figure skating. Will never happen in Pakistan.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Nov 14, 2024 02:57pm
Great move and excellent news.
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Taj Ahmad Nov 14, 2024 03:54pm
Great lady of her time on social media for a long time, America’s proud of her work on social media.
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Aadil Nov 14, 2024 05:36pm
The speed at which this fails will be a real testament to why women are paid less in sports. Kudos to Whoopi Goldberg for confirming this for us once and for all.
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Nadeem Shah Nov 14, 2024 09:52pm
Just another over-rated Hollywood greedy personality. She's worth $60 mil and calls herself a working woman. Lol
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NYS Nov 14, 2024 11:30pm
In Pakistan there is membership to play all high level sports that a common citizen cannot afford this is why most of the people adopt cricket that's it.
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Jim Dailey Nov 15, 2024 06:43am
When is she leaving U.S.A.
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yahya ghaznavi Nov 15, 2024 10:08am
An excellent initiative must be spread particularly to developing countries where social constraints deny women the ability to practice sports, both as part of a physical activity program and at the competitive level. This medium can play a potent role in women's empowerment using the platform of an exclusive sports channel
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yahya ghaznavi Nov 15, 2024 10:46am
An excellent initiative must be spread particularly to developing countries where social constraints deny women the ability to practice sports, both as part of a physical activity program and at the competitive level. This medium can play a potent role in women's empowerment using the platform of an exclusive sports channel
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Laila Nov 15, 2024 03:40pm
@NYS That's not true. In general, sports are not elitist. Even in poor countries, ghetto areas people play sports like basketball, football, rugby, etc. We simply don't promote diversity of sports nor does government offer public anything. After all, a football, basketball are no more expensive than a bat and ball. The ocean is free in Karachi to learn swimming. Running outside is free. You will find the opportunities lack for girls especially, because of our gender bias. No need to deny it. Even elite girls don't pursue sports, except gyms. So your membership theory doesn't really hold true.
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