Bundesliga confirms rights sale

The German Bundesliga has announced the distribution of its domestic rights for the four seasons from 2021-22 with Sky, DAZN and Sat.1 all picking up matches.

The value of the rights has decreased from the current deal of €4.64 billion, as previously reported, with the sale being worth €4.4 billion.

Sky and DAZN will be the two main media partners. The former will broadcast all individual afternoon matches, simultaneous conference coverage and the top match on Saturdays and live coverage of every Bundesliga 2 fixture. DAZN meanwhile will have live coverage of every Bundesliga match that takes place on Fridays and Sundays. The Saturday evening Bundesliga 2 match will also be broadcast free-to-air on Sport1.

Of DAZN’s extensive rights pickup, Paolo Pescatore, tech, media and telco analyst at PP Foresight said: “Without doubt, this is a statement of intent and shows DAZN’s commitment to grow its presence. The deal highlights the strong confidence the Bundesliga has in DAZN as underlined by the length of the deal.”

ProSiebenSat.1 has also picked up nine matches to broadcast on free TV including  the season-opening matches of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, as well as the relegation play-offs and the Supercup.

In addition, ARD, ZDF and Sport1 have all acquired a variety of rights to broadcast highlights from the leagues.

Christian Seifert, speaker of the executive committee of the DFL and DFL CEO, said: “The outcome of the tender offers the greatest possible stability in uncertain times for the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs as well as for the fans by broadly preserving the revenue situation and regarding the viewing habits. We would like to express our considerable gratitude to the media partners for the coming rights period, whose investments serve as an expression of their confidence in the continued positive development of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2.”

Elsewhere in Germany, Sky has confirmed a long-term deal with the Formula One which will see the premier motorsports competition leave free-to-air TV after a 30 year partnership with RTL.