Bt Sport Extends Bundesliga Coverage
BT Sport has extended its coverage of live German Bundesliga football in the UK and Republic of Ireland until 2017, following a competitive tender for the new rights.
The new two-year contract, which starts in September 2015, means that BT Sport will show around 115 live matches a season from the German top flight – around 15 more matches than the current deal – as well as the annual DFL Supercup matches plus previews and highlights shows.
The Bundesliga deal will add to the European offering for BT Sport customers, as it coincides with the start of BT’s exclusive live rights to the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. BT won the exclusive live broadcast rights to all 350 matches from both tournaments, for three seasons from 2015/16.
BT Sport already holds the current rights to show the Bundesliga exclusively live in the UK and will continue to show around 100 live matches for the remainder of the current season and next season.
According to BT Sport, which also broadcasts live European matches from France’s Ligue1 and Italy’s Serie A, the UK audience reach for the Bundesliga on the channel this season is up 70% from last season’s audience figure.
Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: ‘We are really thrilled that we will continue to be the home of Bundesliga for the next three seasons until 2017.’
‘Combined with our incredible line-up of exclusively live matches from the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League, the Bundesliga takes its place in our schedule as one of the premium European league competitions, having provided both European finalists last season.’
‘Our viewers have loved the opportunity to watch live matches involving some of the most outstanding teams in Europe and pitting charismatic managers like Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp against each other.’
‘I am delighted that the Bundesliga recognised that BT Sport has made a big commitment to German football and will continue to promote and foster the league for UK sports lovers in the future.’
