Premiere dealt blow over soccer rights
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German football chiefs have dealt pay-TV operator Premiere a body blow after awarding a €420m-per-year live match rights deal to cable outfit Unity Media. The rights are expected to be shared with leading German cable operator Kabel Deutschland.
The DFL soccer deal covers the next three seasons. Premiere, which currently has rights to air this season's live matches, had been expected to win an extension with more exclusivity—an issue the German football chiefs objected to.
Match highlights were won by public broadcaster ARD and free channel DSF. Internet protocol television (IPTV) rights went to Deutsche Telekom.
Loss of the live rights caused Premiere's share price to plunge by 45%. The company—which floated in March—said it would adjust its subscription fees after August 1, 2006.
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