German telco Deutsche Telekom has agreed a deal with SportA, the sports-rights agency that represents public-service broadcasters ARD and ZDF, that will grant it early access to rights to the men’s 3. Liga club football competition.
In January, the German Football Association (DFB) agreed deals with ARD and ZDF, as well as Deutsche Telekom, for rights to the German women’s national team, the women’s Bundesliga and the 3. Liga.
The contracts were set to run for four seasons, from 2018-19 to 2021-22. Under its rights package for the 3. Liga, the third tier of men’s club football in Germany, ARD was set to show at least two live matches per season. The rights were previously held by ARD, which broadcast many matches on its regional channels.
Deutsche Telekom was set to show all 3. Liga matches, the promotion play-offs and one match per season from the women’s Bundesliga on a pay basis.
The agreement was set to mark the first time all 3. Liga matches would be provided with coverage. ARD currently holds exclusive rights to the 3. Liga, but under the new agreement, Deutsche Telekom will begin its live coverage of all matches from the 2017-18 campaign.