Bundesliga / DFL
The Bundesliga has announced a new broadcast rights split with multiple providers in the UK and Ireland.
Sky Sports has been the exclusive home to the German top flight for the last four years but under the new arrangement – announced just two days ahead of the new season – it will show just one game a week, the flagship Saturday 5.30pm fixture.
The BBC has acquired the rights to the Friday night 7.30pm game which it will stream for free via iPlayer for the next two seasons, while that match will also be shown on YouTube via The Overlap, That’s Football and the official Bundesliga channels.
The Sunday fixtures – shown at 2.30pm and 4.30pm, with additional rearranged games at 6.30pm – will be available via Prime Video, although only on a pay-per-view basis at a cost of £2.49 per match.
The Saturday 2.30pm matches – typically four or five per week – are not shown live in the UK due to the long-standing Saturday blackout rule.
BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski said: “To be able to include Bundesliga matches within our live football offering is phenomenal, especially Bayern Munich’s opening game with England’s captain Harry Kane.
“I’m proud BBC Sport has such an impressive portfolio of football coverage across all of our platforms – from live games to highlights, digital clips to breaking news on the website, we’ve got fans covered this season.”
Peer Naubert, CEO of Bundesliga International, added: “We are delighted to announce our new-look lineup of great media partners as part of our multi-platform strategy in the UK and Ireland.
“Our approach is as diverse as our supporters: by combining established broadcasters with digital platforms and content creators, we are taking a progressive step in how top-level football can be experienced.
“This multi-layered strategy allows us to connect with more audiences across the UK and Ireland, giving every supporter the chance to engage with Football As It’s Meant To Be in the way that suits them best.”
The season opens with champions Bayern Munich welcoming RB Leipzig this Friday at 7.30pm.
