Infront has reached agreement with KarstadtQuelle New Media and EM.TV & Merchandising, the potential new owners of the DSF terrestrial sports channel, for a rights package to the Bundesliga.
The deal is effective upon the completion of the acquisition of DSF by KarstadtQuelle, EM.TV and sports investor Dr. Hans-Dieter Cleven from the channel's current owners, the bankrupt KirchMedia.
The agreement comes as a welcome financial relief to the German soccer league who had lost substantial rights revenue following the collapse of its previous broadcast partner KirchMedia.
The new rights deal covers the 2003/04 season and also includes a automatic prolongation for two further seasons in the event that Infront exercises its option to extend its relationship with the German Football League (DFL) for the same period.
The rights package includes the non-exclusive highlights rights to the Bundesliga's 1st Division with the contract also including the exclusive terrestrial rights to broadcast one live match from the 2nd Division per week on Mondays, combined with an exclusive window for highlights for other 2nd Division matches.
Comments Oscar Frei, CEO of Infront Sports & Media: "The German broadcast market is beginning to see some stability following the collapse of KirchMedia last year. This allows broadcasters like DSF to begin focusing their content strategies, which will ultimately define their future position in the market.
"The commitment to the Bundesliga further confirms to us that the Bundesliga remains 'priority number one' when it comes to sports content on German television."
Rights agency Infront Sports & Media has signed a domestic TV rights deal for the German Bundesliga, securing the continued terrestrial coverage of the national league.
