Munich, November 28. Premiere has secured the live pay-TV rights for all Bundesliga and 2nd division Bundesliga games for Germany, Austria and Switzerland from the season 2009/2010 to 2012/13. Under a direct contractual relationship with the DFL, the German football league, Premiere has obtained the right to show all games live, in conference mode and in highlight shows. Premiere has secured the exclusive pay-TV rights to broadcast the games via cable and satellite and for the first time also as a live stream on the internet.
As the Bundesliga schedule incorporates more kick-off times, the football coverage on Premiere increases significantly. Additionally “The Match of the Week” will become the new highlight on Saturday evenings and will be shown live on Premiere at 6.30 pm. Premiere has the first pick for “The Match of the Week” allowing Premiere to choose - under certain conditions - which Saturday match will be shown at 6.30 pm.
The extended range of rights is reflected in higher licence fees ranging from approximately EUR 225m for the season 2009/10 to approximately EUR 275m for the season 2012/13. Premiere and the DFL have agreed to maintain confidentiality on the details of their contract.
The football coverage on Premiere will start on Friday evenings with a live broadcast of the first division game. On Saturdays coverage will begin with pre-game reports on the Bundesliga matches followed by kick-off for the second division at 1 pm. The Bundesliga games will start at 3.30 pm, all of which Premiere viewers can watch live and in conference mode, followed by the earliest post-game round-up on German TV.
After “The Match of the Week” at 6.30 pm Premiere coverage continues with highlight shows and replays throughout the night. As a new benefit for Premiere subscribers, Bundesliga will have two kick-off times on Sunday, at 3.30 pm and 5.30 pm, which will further increase Premiere’s football coverage.
Premiere will show at least 96 games per season live in high definition. In addition, Premiere has been awarded exclusive rights to all Bundesliga matches in hotels and sportsbars across Germany and Austria.
Mark Williams, CEO of Premiere AG: “We are glad to continue our 17 year partnership with the German football league. This direct agreement with the DFL covering four years will enable Premiere to offer significantly enhanced coverage to subscribers, including five first division kick-off times per weekend with “The Match of the Week” at 6.30 pm Saturdays. With Bundesliga, DFB Cup, UEFA Champions League and Fifa World Championship 2010, we have secured the most important football rights for our customers for the coming years.”
Contact for press:
Torsten Fricke
Corporate Spokesman
Tel.: +49 89/99 58-63 50
torsten.fricke@premiere.de
Contact for investors and analysts:
Christine Scheil
Vice President Investor Relations
Tel.:+49 89/99 58-10 10
christine.scheil@premiere.de
