Germany’s Premier sat TV strikes deal for Premier League

By Kevin Hilton

SVG European correspondent

In a surprise move German satellite pay TV channel Premiere has agreed to a deal with cable broadcaster arena to show Bundesliga (premier league) football matches, after losing the exclusive rights to its rival in 2005. Under the agreement satellite viewers can see coverage of the Bundesliga again, with Premiere taking over technical operation, service and administration of arena’s satellite platform.

After losing the contract with the German Football League Premiere’s shares dropped dramatically and there were doubts about the broadcaster’s future. The arrangement with arena, part of the Unity Media group, gives Premiere a potential market of over 30 million households. As well as satellite distribution Premiere has increased its cable reach and is able to offer its Bundesliga channel to an additional 2.2 million customers through arena.

Under the deal arena has received 16.4 million Premiere shares from authorised capital. Premiere’s chief executive, Dr Georg Kofler, commented, “The new agreement with arena makes Premiere stronger in the long term, both operationally and in its strategic positioning. Premiere is once again the home of Bundesliga for fans – with more options to view than ever before, over satellite, cable and IPTV.” German media watchers see the link-up as strengthening the country’s pay TV market in general.