O2 Sport, a subscription sports channel operated by telecommunications company O2 in the Czech Republic, has confirmed the launch of three channels dedicated to football, ice hockey and tennis as part of a rebranding effort.
Under the changes, the flagship O2 Sport channel will be renamed O2 TV Sport. O2 said O2 TV Fotbal will launch on August 8, while O2 TV Tenis will commence operations at the beginning of 2017 with O2 TV Hokej starting next autumn.
David Duron, director of O2 TV, said: “The change is related to the overall strengthening of the brand, and in particular the amount of new content. O2 TV Sport will screen a selection of the best of all sports. The other specialised channels will be aimed at true connoisseurs.”
O2 Sport in April agreed five-season deals, running across the 2018-19 to 2022-23 campaigns, with Sparta Praha and Bílí Tygři Liberec – two of the leading clubs in the Extraliga, the top tier of domestic ice hockey.
The rights cover all home games played by the two clubs, with O2 Sport in negotiations with other Extraliga teams. O2 Sport also acquired rights for the Women’s Tennis Association Tour under a three-year deal running from 2017 through to the end of 2019.
The broadcaster’s football portfolio includes rights to the domestic Liga and the Uefa Champions League.