Serie A launches new tender for unsold packages

Lega Serie A has issued a new tender for two packages of media rights to football’s top division in Italy that remained unsold following the original sales process.

Packages C and E are available, with bids due to be submitted by July 15.

Package C includes ancillary rights such as access to changing rooms, the tunnel and the pitch-side area for interviews. Package E includes online, mobile and IPTV rights to three matches per week.

The reserve prices for both packages have been reduced. Package C’s reserve price has been lowered from €67m ($91m) to €15m per season after bids from pay-television broadcasters Sky Italia and Fox did not reach the original asking price. Package E’s reserve price has been reduced from €109m to €55m per season after there were no bids for the package in the initial tender.

Last month, Serie A awarded rights for Package A to Sky and Packages B and D to pay-television broadcaster Mediaset Premium’s parent company RTI. The rights were awarded after Sky and Mediaset agreed sublicensing deals with each other for the coverage. The deals left Sky with rights to all 380 matches per season, of which 132 will be exclusive, for a total net outlay of €572m. Mediaset will have the rights to home and away matches of eight teams, including the top four, for a net outlay of €373m.