Discovery open to possible NRK alliance over Tippeligaen rights – report

Media and entertainment company Discovery Communications, which operates the Eurosport Norge pay-television channel, would consider an alliance over Norwegian football league rights in the country with public-service broadcaster NRK, according to the Kampanje news website.

The Fotball Media agency, which distributes the rights for the Tippeligaen on behalf of the Norwegian Football Federation, has set a deadline of midday tomorrow (Tuesday) for the rights to the top division of the domestic game along with the second-tier 1. Divisjon.

The original deadline of today was pushed back by one day, with the reason for the delay not disclosed.

The report said  NRK is under pressure to reduce spending on sports rights, although representatives of the broadcaster and Discovery refused to comment on the report.

The tender includes rights to the two leagues for three years, from 2017 to 2019, with nine packages available in total.