German public-service broadcasters ARD and ZDF have agreed to adapt their schedules to provide coverage of the country’s top ice hockey, handball and basketball leagues on Sundays.
Under the agreement with the Deutsche Eishockey-Liga, the Handball Bundesliga and the Basketball Bundesliga, the top divisions of ice hockey, handball and basketball in Germany, highlights of one big game per week from at least one of the competitions will be shown as part of ZDF’s Sportreportage and ARD’s Sportschau magazine programmes.
ZDF sports director Dieter Gruschwitz said that he appreciated the efforts of the leagues to schedule “attractive fixtures” on Sundays. ZDF’s Sportreportage programme starts at 5pm and ARD’s Sportschau at 6pm.
ARD sports coordinator Axel Balkausky added: “Following constructive discussions with the three bodies we are pleased to report more in the future about these popular leagues.”