REGIONAL SPORTS cable station SportsMax will be the exclusive broadcaster of Brazil, Argentina and all other South American qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

SportsMax's parent company, IMC, acquired the exclusive rights to the television package that includes 90 matches to be played from October 13 this year to October 14, 2009 for qualification to the Cup.

The television audience across the Caribbean will for the first time see every minute of their favourite footballers - Ronaldinho, Kaka, Messi - all the way through the qualification process. As part of this agreement, SportsMax will televise 20 matches in October and November of this year featuring all 10 South American nations.Action kicks off on October 13 with Argentina facing Chile and on October 14 with Brazil meeting Colombia.

SportsMax will also be the exclusive broadcaster of more than 30 international friendlies from South America, including 10 matches featuring Brazil and 10 matches featuring Argentina.

With two South America teams ranked in FIFA's top three - Brazil and Argentina, and four teams in FIFA's top 25, these qualification and friendly matches are sure to be played at the highest levels. SportsMax marketing manager Tanya Lee says: "SportsMax has made a commitment to the Caribbean audience that we will bring the best of international sports to living rooms throughout the region.

"These South American qualifiers are easily amongst the most exciting in the world and are unparalleled by any other confederation, considering the history and current world rankings of the South Americans, along with the wealth of talent and rivalry exhibited on the continent," she said. SportsMax also holds the regional rights to the Euro 2008 qualifiers, FIFA 2009 Confederations Cup and the Reggae Boyz home matches through to 2010.