Story from Broadband TV News:
French pay-TV network Canal+ has reportedly entered the race for the broadcasting rights to Austria’s top-tier football league, the Bundesliga.
According to Austrian newspaper Der Standard, Canal+ has placed a bid, although no official confirmation has been provided by the involved parties. The contract with current rights holderSky Austria approaches its conclusion at the end of the 2025/26 season.
In a recent interview with Laola1, Canal+’s Head of Sports, Thomas Trukesitz, acknowledged that there have been discussions with the Bundesliga regarding the rights: “There have already been two meetings with the Bundesliga. It’s no secret that we are taking a close look at this.”
Sky Austria is certainly participating in the bidding process to retain its coverage. Other possible contenders include public broadcaster ORF and commercial channel Servus TV, though their intentions remain unclear.Canal+ has been gradually expanding its presence in the Austrian sports broadcasting market. The network currently holds rights to selected UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League matches.
The Austrian Bundesliga is also exploring the possibility of self-producing and directly marketing its broadcasts to maximise revenue and modernise its media offerings. This approach, referred to as “Plan A,” would involve the league taking control of production and distribution, potentially in partnership with experienced broadcasters.
The involvement of Canal+ could introduce a new dynamic to the Austrian sports media landscape, suggesting a period of transition and increased competition in the market.
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