UPC unveils MySports plans after SIHF rights deal

Swiss telecommunications company UPC has unveiled plans for a new sports broadcast platform which it says will “breathe new life” into the media market in Switzerland.

MySports has been formed following UPC’s rights deal with the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation. The SIHF last week awarded its media rights for the five seasons from 2017-18 to 2021-22, with UPC and public-service broadcaster SRG SSR clinching contracts.

UPC will be the SIHF’s new main partner having secured rights to club competitions National League A and B, Regio League and the Swiss national teams. UPC will exploit the rights through MySports, which will be available through its network and partner companies of SuisseDigital, the trade association of Swiss communication networks.

UPC has said MySports will launch in the summer of 2017 with an initial focus on ice hockey. MySports will also be freely available via mobile and tablet devices for all customers of UPC and its distribution partners.

Roger Feiner, UPC’s vice-president of content strategy, said: “The station will be seen in all regions of Switzerland and distributed in three languages. The mix of a basic channel, which is included in each listing, and more premium channels via additional subscriptions makes MySports unique.

“The basic channel will be part of every basic contract and may be received at no additional cost, which is very important to us. At the beginning we start with a focus on hockey. The potential for even more sports is definitely there. We want with MySports to initially raise hockey in Switzerland to the next level … but also provide a platform for other sports that do not have, or have had difficulties, in finding their way to television.”