Belgian commercial broadcaster VTM and public-service broadcaster VRT have agreed extensions to their rights deals for highlights to the Pro League, the top division of Belgian football.
The contracts concern Flemish-language rights for Packages Three and Four and cover three seasons, from 2014-15 to 2016-17.
VTM’s Package Three includes highlights of matches from 23.00pm on every match day plus live rights for the Belgium Super Cup. VRT’s Package Four comprises exclusive rights for a Monday evening magazine programme.
The Pro League has also agreed deals for its video clips packages. Pay-television broadcasters Belgacom and Telenet have acquired rights to Package Five, which includes near-live clips of all matches via internet and mobile. It includes up to 10 clips per match, of up to 20 seconds each, with the rights expiring 60 minutes after each match. The league also remains in negotiations with Flemish media company De Persgroep over this package.
Package Six rights have also been assigned, covering delayed clips of all matches via internet and mobile on an on-demand basis. The package includes a maximum of three clips of three minutes each per match, and up to 30 clips per match day. These can be distributed after 11pm on match days. The league added: “These will be offered by Belgacom and (public-service broadcaster) RTBF for the Francophone market and Telenet, (media company) Mediahuis, Belgacom, De Persgroep and VRT for the Dutch.”