Commercial broadcaster RTL has pulled out of the race to acquire domestic highlights rights for the Eredivisie, the top division of football in the Netherlands, according to the Totaal TV news website.
RTL withdrew after its initial bid for the rights, to start with the 2014-15 season, was below the other offers on the table.
Public-service broadcaster NOS, the incumbent rights-holder, and commercial broadcaster SBS remain in the running.
The Fox International Channels broadcast subsidiary of media company 21st Century Fox has the rights for the Eredivisie in a 12-year deal, from 2013-14 to 2024-25, and exploits live rights on the Fox Sports Eredivisie channel. However, Fox is prepared to sell on the highlights rights to “satisfy the Eredivisie’s sponsors,” the report said.