Pay-television broadcaster O2 TV has acquired rights in the Czech Republic to the country’s top-tier ice hockey league, the Extraliga.
The deal begins with the 2018-19 season and runs until 2022-23. O2 TV will have rights to all Extraliga matches, including the play-offs and finals.The agreement expands upon O2 TV’s initial deal with BPA Sports Marketing, the league’s exclusive marketing partner. O2 TV had originally agreed to broadcast games between HC Sparta Praha and HC White Tigers Liberec.
O2 TV will broadcast content on television and online on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It will deliver up to 80 live matches each year, with five live streams to be produced each week. Rights for three game days will be held by O2 TV Sport, with ČT Sport, which is available to O2 TV customers, to offer two matches.
Marek Kindernay, managing director of O2 TV Sport, said: "Thanks to O2 TV, teams will get more revenue, which they can invest in the development of the club, youth leagues, and activities for fans. We want to contribute to improving the overall hockey product.”
The deal comes after O2 TV in January acquired exclusive rights to the Uefa Champions League club football competition in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
O2 secured the rights across the three seasons spanning 2018-19 to 2020-21. The deal also includes the annual Super Cup clash between the winners of the Champions League and Europa League. O2 currently shares rights to the Champions League in the Czech Republic with public-service broadcaster Česká Televize.