Nova acquires Premier League rights directly in Bulgaria

Bulgarian commercial broadcaster Nova has acquired English Premier League rights in a new three-season deal, from 2019-20 to 2021-22, directly from the rights-holder.

Nova currently holds Premier League rights, from 2016-17 to 2018-19, after agreeing a deal with the IMG agency, which acquired rights across Central and Eastern Europe over the same period from the Premier League.

In the new cycle, the Premier League will allow Nova to broadcast more matches than the current cycle – more than 235 per season. Matches will be broadcast as part of the Diema Sports package and will be streamed online.

The Nova Broadcasting Group, owned by Modern Times Group, is currently in the process of being taken over by the investment company PPF Group. The deal is currently stalled after the Bulgarian competition authority blocked the sale. PPF Group has appealed the decision and is awaiting an outcome.