Benfica set to launch second television channel

Portuguese Primeira Liga football club Benfica will launch a second television channel in October, according to president Luis Filipe Vieira.

Benfica TV, the basic-tier channel that is operated by Benfica, has media rights to the most popular football team in Portugal after the club decided against renewing a deal with the Olivedesportos agency beyond the 2012-13 season as well as the English Premier League.

Vieira said that Benfica TV1 would be joined by Benfica TV2 from October and added that monthly subscriptions would not rise from their current level of €9.90 ($13.3).

Commenting on the development of the channel, Vieira said that Benfica is already generating greater revenues than the offer made by Olivedesportos to extend its previous contract.

“We have surpassed 150,000 subscribers and have already gone beyond the value we received before,” Vieira told Benfica TV.

Benfica TV2 will accommodate the broadcaster’s other football content such as the English Premier League, Campeonato Brasileiro and Greek Superleague top divisions.