Organisers of the Champions Hockey League have said media rights for the 2016-17 season of the pan-European ice hockey competition have been sold to 17 broadcasters and digital platforms worldwide, with new partners included in the roster.
The third season of the CHL opens today (Tuesday) with the Infront Sports & Media agency, exclusive media and marketing partner of the league, brokering deals covering a total of 47 territories.
The CHL said Serbian-based pay-television broadcaster Arena Sport is a new rights partner. It will expand media coverage of the league to Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo.
In addition, the CHL said L’Équipe, the new brand name for French digital-terrestrial television channel L’Équipe 21, will return to the league for coverage in France and various French overseas territories.
A total of 48 clubs from 13 countries will compete in the 2016-17 CHL, including the first Polish team in the shape of Comarch Cracovia. Public-service broadcaster TVP will cover the CHL in Poland.