AMC Networks secures Spanish Supercopa rights

Media group AMC Networks has acquired rights to the next three editions of the Spanish Supercopa, which will be held in Saudi Arabia.

The broadcaster will showcase the matches on its Sport1 and Sport2 pay-TV channels.

Marcel Mareš, AMC Networks International’s country manager in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, said that the broadcaster is “delighted” to add the property to its coverage of the Uefa Nations League, Turkish Süper Lig, Coppa Italia, Champions Hockey League, Swedish Hockey League, Slovak Hockey League, Formula 1, handball’s EHF Champions League and EHF Euros.

The exclusive agreement, which runs from 2019-20 to 2021-22, comes after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) issued a first-round bid deadline of 28 November in its invitation to tender. Two concurrent tender processes – one covering mainly European Union countries and one covering the rest of the world – were issued on November 12.

Spain’s Supercopa has traditionally pitted the winners of LaLiga against the Copa del Rey victors in a two-legged final but the competition is this season expanding to a ‘Final Four’ format that comprises two semi-finals and a final. LaLiga champions Barcelona and cup winners Valencia will both take part, along with Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid as the competition moves from its August slot to January.

The first semi-final will take place on Wednesday, January 8 at 8pm (CET), followed by the second semi-final 24 hours later. The final will be staged on Sunday, January 12 at 7pm. It has been reported that the matches will be held at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

Sportradar is working with the RFEF as an advisor on its international rights sales and could therefore not bid for rights.