Swedish public-service broadcaster SVT has agreed a three-year rights deal covering the 2014-15 to 2016-17 seasons of new European club ice hockey competition the Champions Hockey League.
The agreement brokered by Infront Sports & Media, the exclusive commercial partner of the CHL, ensures that SVT will handle media production for all games taking place in Sweden. As part of its host broadcast role, SVT is to cover all games staged in Sweden.
The media group’s rights include broadcast transmission on all platforms including terrestrial, cable, broadband internet and mobile rights on a free and or pay basis. In addition, SVT holds the right to sub license selected games to third parties.
Per Yng, head of sport at SVT, said: “The Champions Hockey League is appealing and promising content for our programming plan and we are convinced the new competition will engage domestic audiences. Ice hockey is one of the leading winter sports in Sweden and it is exciting that SVT can contribute to the rise of a new and fascinating competition.”
The CHL is fully owned and operated by the European Club Competition, which includes as its shareholders top European clubs, six national leagues and the International Ice Hockey Federation.
The Swedish Hockey League and six clubs – Frölunda Gothenburg, Färjestad Karlstad, HV71 Jönköping, Linköpings HC, Luleå Hockey and Djurgården Stockholm – are part of the founding members.
The inaugural season will commence with the preliminary round from August to October. The final rounds will take place from November to February 2015.