The Belarusian Football Federation (ABFF) has sold broadcast rights to the domestic Premier League on an exclusive basis for the first time after agreeing a deal with telco Beltelecom.
The contract grants Beltelecom the exclusive rights to all 201 matches from the forthcoming 2020 season, along with the Super Cup game.
The telco will exploit the rights via YASNAe TV, a channel which launched in September replacing Minsk TV, which had broadcast for seven years.
Beltelecom has existing ties to the ABFF and has promised its coverage of the Premier League will set new standards in the country. Yuri Petruchenya, general director of Beltelecom, said: “This is a logical continuation of the joint work begun in 2018.
“Thanks to the technical interaction of the parties, a modern telecommunications infrastructure has been created that allows direct television broadcasts of matches of the Belarusian championship to a whole new level, the organisation of online broadcasts for the internet audience and improved technical support for games.
“I am sure that a new level of partnership will benefit both sides. But the most important thing is the football fans, who will have the opportunity to follow the games on the YASNAe TV channel with the best commentators and a picture in full HD format.”
The contract will commence with YASNAe TV’s coverage of the Super Cup clash between reigning Premier League champion Dynamo Brest and Belarusian Cup victor Shakhtyor Soligorsk on Wednesday.
The 2020 Premier League season starts on March 19.