NOS seeking to retain national team football rights – report

Dutch public-service broadcaster NOS is keen to retain its rights to national team matches marketed by Uefa, European football’s governing body, despite the prospect of a contract being loss making for the company, according to De Telegraaf.

The Dutch newspaper said NOS is prepared to offer around €900,000 ($1.07m) per game for the rights, which depending on the results of the struggling national team and the number of friendly matches it plays, could comprise 30 to 40 broadcasts.

In June, pay-television broadcaster Ziggo retained third-party European Qualifier rights and third-party Nations League rights in a deal covering the 2018-2022 cycle.

The contract was agreed with Uefa and CAA Eleven, Uefa’s sales agent for its national team competitions.

Uefa rights in the Netherlands were tendered on November 7, 2016, with bids due on December 6.

First- and second-party rights in the new cycle, which had been held by NOS, are yet to be sold by Uefa. They were tendered at the same time as the third-party rights.