Viaplay Unveils UK Launch Plans
Streaming platform Viaplay has revealed details of its imminent launch in the UK.
The Stockholm-based service, which recent was granted clearance to acquire Premier Sports, will launch in the UK on 1st November and will be priced at £14.99 for a comprehensive package that includes sports rights in addition to films and series.
Viaplay holds an extensive portfolio of rights to over 1,000 UEFA international matches from across Europe, including all European Qualifiers for the UEFA EURO and FIFA World Cup played by the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland men’s national football teams, along with the UEFA Nations League and friendlies, until 2028.
According to a statement, ‘Viaplay will also show LaLiga, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup and Coppa Italia football; BKT United Rugby Championship, Rugby Football League and TOP 14 rugby; NHL, IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, Champions Hockey League and Elite Ice Hockey League; CEV volleyball; KSW mixed martial arts; EHF handball; ISU figure skating and speed skating; World Athletics Continental Tour Gold and Indoor Tour; and much more.’
With regard to Viaplay’s recent acquisition of Premier Sports, the Irish company’s existing pay-TV channels will be rebranded as Viaplay Sports 1 and Viaplay Sports 2, with the free-to-air TV channel FreeSports becoming Viaplay Xtra.
All of its channels will remain available through existing distribution partners, and will continue to broadcast to commercial premises, including pubs and clubs.
Viaplay’s UK launch will take its direct-to-consumer footprint to 11 countries with the US and Canada set to follow in early 2023.
