Fox Sports has confirmed details for a new HD Sports 'Pop-up' channel ‘Fox Sports More’.

Taking its place on channel 507, the new channel has replaced the previous Red Button service and will only broadcast content when Fox Sports needs additional space to broadcast live sport.

The new service will launch with the opening day of Australia’s Tour of India live from Thursday 23rd Feb at 2:30pm AEDT.

The launch of Fox Sports More comes at the same as Fox Sports is removing one of its general sports channels and launching the dedicated NRL service Fox League on channel 502.

Fox Sports More will be available for both Foxtel and Foxtel Play subscribers as well as on Foxtel’s mobile app, Foxtel Go.

Replacing what was the Red Button ‘Viewer’s Choice’, from this point additional content such as alternate camera views or commentary will receive a true second-screen viewing experience, with bonus material available on smartphones and tablets via foxsports.com.au or the Fox Sports app.

Pop-up channels in 2016 saw The US Masters and Bathurst all get their own 24-hour specially built and branded channels, making it easy for fans to immerse themselves in a non-stop schedule of live coverage, highlights and historic action. Fox Sports More will build on that popularity in 2017 and beyond, with more purpose-built channels arriving just when fans want them most.

To get things started, Fox Sports More will be the only channel in Australia to watch Australia’s tour of India starting on Thursday from 2:30pm. Following the final Test in the series from March 25th, Foxtel subscribers should keep an eye on the schedules for news of more Fox Sports More programming popping up across the year, all in HD.

Fans will be able to follow every ball of the series from the opening Test in Pune. Brendon Julian, Allan Border and Brett Lee will introduce the action on Day 1 with the pre-game show from 2:30pm, with Australian selector Mark Waugh and Mr Cricket aka Mike Hussey involved in the lineup on subsequent days. Australian bowling coach Ryan Harris & former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin will also feature in the coverage later in the four test series, with the final test commencing on March 25.

In the commentary box for the opening Test, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Sanjay Manjrekar will be joined by V. V. S. Laxman, Michael Clarke and Shane Warne. And during lunch on Day One, in the first of a two-part exclusive interview, FOX SPORTS’ Neroli Meadows will sit down for an in-depth chat with Australia Captain Steve Smith, with part two airing the following day at the same time.

Fans will also see the return of ‘Cricket Legends’. Following the play on days one and two, the first episode of the series will focus on the controversial journey of South African born batsman Kepler Wessels, while the second episode features a rare interview with Sir Garfield Sobers – one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders, he talks about his career highlights, including the tale of a Test century at Lords on a night of no-sleep.

Steve Crawley, Head of Television at Fox Sports, said of the new channel launch:

“14,000 hours of live sport broadcast last year meant the existing Fox Sports channels were bursting at the seams, with the Red Button having to pick up the strain of so much in-demand coverage. Fox Sports More will not only mean extra room for all sports at the busiest times of year all in HD, but it will become the home of all Fox Sports’ specially dedicated, pop-up channels, which thanks to their success last year, we’ll be doing more of than ever before.”

FOX SPORTS MORE LAUNCH SCHEDULE

Thursday February 23 
Cricket: India v Australia – First Test, Day 1   1430-2300

Friday February 24 
Cricket: India v Australia – First Test, Day 2   1430-2300

Saturday February 25 
Cricket: India v Australia – First Test, Day 3   1430-2230

Sunday February 26 
Cricket: India v Australia – First Test, Day 4  1430-2230

Monday February 27 
Cricket: India v Australia – First Test, Day 5  1430-2230

Saturday March 4 
Surfing: Australian Open – Day 8   0725-1730
Cricket: NZ v South Africa – Fifth ODI   1730-2330

Sunday March 5 
Surfing: Australian Open – Final Day  0725-1700

Saturday March 18 
Surfing: WSL Gold Coast – Day 5    0830-1830

Sunday March 19 
Surfing: WSL Gold Coast – Day 6   0830-1830

Saturday March 25 
Surfing: WSL Gold Coast – Final Day    0830-1430
Cricket: India v Australia – Fourth Test, Day 1   1430-2230
*Times listed as AEDT