Starting in 2015, Fox will air the German Bundesliga all over the world. It’s a five year deal that will involve the rights to all 306 matches each year. What does this mean for US viewers? It means that Fox gets a replacement for English Premier League games which it lost to NBC and could potentially be teamed with the EPL if Fox is able to re-obtain the rights in a couple of years.
The Bundesliga currently airs on Gol TV, but good luck in finding that channel. DirecTV dropped it in favor of beIN Sport and other providers have done the same. So the Bundesliga will be seen on various Fox platforms. Expect Fox Sports 1 and 2 and Fox Soccer Plus, maybe even a few games here and there on the Fox Mothership.
Here’s the official press release from Fox Sports’ parent company, 21st Century Fox.
21ST CENTURY FOX AND THE BUNDESLIGA ANNOUNCE GROUNDBREAKING GLOBAL MEDIA RIGHTS PARTNERSHIP
New York and Frankfurt, October 14, 2013 – 21st Century Fox and the Deutsche Fussball Liga (DFL) today announced a series of multi-year agreements to deliver Bundesliga football to hundreds of millions of fans across North and South America, Europe and Asia via 21st Century Fox’s global portfolio of television assets.
The agreements call for a five-year term in Asia and the Americas, and a two-year term in Europe. Financial details were not disclosed.
The agreements will leverage 21st Century Fox’s global distribution footprint in territories such as the United States, Brazil, Canada, China (in English), Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands and many more.
In total, the agreements cover 80 countries or territories on four continents and will span three units of 21st Century Fox: Fox International Channels, Fox Sports and Sky Italia. Under the terms of the agreements, 21st Century Fox will be granted exclusive rights, subject to certain reserved rights, to the Bundesliga in the Americas and Asia – excluding India and the Oceania region – as well as Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium.
The deal, which will take effect with the 2015-‘16 season, includes rights to all 306 Bundesliga matches each year, as well as the DFL-Supercup and the Bundesliga Relegation Playoffs. In addition, 21st Century Fox will attain digital distribution rights, including the ability to make DFL content available through new and existing authenticated online television services, as well as on mobile devices in the contracted territories.
“Both on and off the pitch, the Bundesliga has grown to become one of the preeminent soccer leagues in the world,” said James Murdoch, Deputy COO of 21st Century Fox. “We look forward to partnering with the DFL over the next five years to leverage our unrivaled global portfolio of sports channels to bolster the Bundesliga brand in every corner of the globe.”
Christian Seifert, CEO of DFL Deutsche Fussball Liga, stated today: “These agreements confirm that the Bundesliga has legitimately evolved to become a top international sports media property. 21stCentury Fox is a global-scale partner that provides German soccer opportunities for worldwide exposure and future growth. We welcome these agreements as an expression of faith in the Bundesliga’s continued development over the coming years.”
The new agreements will also see 21st Century Fox benefit from Sky Deutschland’s status as an Official Partner and domestic broadcaster of the Bundesliga in Germany. Sky Deutschland’s production resources will guarantee fans the full breadth and depth of Bundesliga coverage and editorial expertise, presented in a style suited to each region’s local preferences.
That will do it.
