Agcom approves guidelines for Serie A rights-sales process

Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (Agcom), the Italian communications regulator, has approved the rules for the sale of the next cycle of domestic rights to Serie A, the top division of football in the country.

The rights cover three seasons, from 2018-19 to 2020-21.

Agcom’s investigation into the rights-sales process involved all stakeholders and followed a probe by the country’s antitrust authority, l’Autorità Garante del Mercato e della Concorrenza, into the current cycle of rights.

According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Agcom said that an extensive package of online rights that is “equally appealing” in comparison with other platforms should be offered, in terms of kick-off times and the popularity of the competing teams.

Agcom also said that bars, restaurants and hotels should be able to choose between two different providers rather than one, to increase competition.

Lega Serie A is advised by the Infront Sports & Media agency on its rights sales. It has not been clarified yet when the auction for the next cycle of rights might be launched, with reports suggesting that the sales process could be delayed by one year.