Dutch commercial broadcaster SBS has confirmed the acquisition of rights to the Uefa Champions League for the three seasons of the European club football competition from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
Public-service broadcaster NOS currently holds the free-to-air rights to the Champions League in the Netherlands, but confirmed last week that it would not retain the contract due to budget cuts.
SBS said it, and majority shareholder, Finnish-based media group Sanoma, have acquired both television and online rights to the Champions League.
The deal marks the first time that a commercial broadcaster has held the Champions League rights in the Netherlands, with SBS set to broadcast games and highlights programmes across its channels, while the NU.nl platform will exploit the digital rights.
Luc Peters, chief operating officer of SBS Broadcasting, said: “Like no other SBS/Sanoma will be able to present this prestigious international club football tournament on television and online to football fans. This fits perfectly with the ambitions of SBS/Sanoma – the largest media company in the Netherlands.”