O2 Sport moves into Czech ice hockey, plans channel launches

O2 Sport, a subscription sports channel operated by telecommunications company O2 in the Czech Republic, has sealed broadcast rights agreements with two Extraliga clubs and is in talks with further teams from the top division of domestic ice hockey.

O2 Sport has 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 rights cover all home games played by the two clubs, with O2 Sport adding it is in negotiations with other Extraliga teams, including Oceláři Třinec.

O2 Sport this week 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 said that given its increase in content it plans to launch three dedicated channels for football, ice hockey and tennis.