The streaming platform, DAZN, has recently announced its decision to reopen negotiations with telecoms providers over the broadcasting rights of Belgian football. This move comes after previous discussions broke down, putting the future of traditional TV broadcasts of these matches at risk.
DAZN holds the broadcasting rights for the Jupiler Pro League and had previously ended negotiations with major telecoms providers Telenet and Proximus in mid-July. Without a sublicensing deal in place with local providers, there was a looming threat that Belgian football would disappear from traditional TV.
Consumer organisation Testaankoop expressed concerns about this situation and announced plans to refer the matter to the Belgian Competition Authority. The organization argued that consumers could be adversely affected by a single player's dominance.
Renewed negotiations
However, on Monday, DAZN revealed its intention to restart talks with both Telenet and Proximus. While it remains unclear when these discussions will take place, this announcement brings renewed hope for fans who prefer watching their favourite sport on traditional television platforms.
One significant issue during previous talks was DAZN’s pricing demands which both telecoms providers considered too high. This concern is particularly relevant as many customers are cancelling their traditional TV bundles in favour of streaming services due to cost considerations.
Impact on Telecom providers' sports offerings
The 2025-26 season began last Friday amidst these uncertainties. Despite not providing specific details about viewing figures following the first round of matches, DAZN expressed satisfaction with them. On the other hand, both Telenet and Proximus reported experiencing an expected negative impact on subscriptions to their sports offerings due to these developments.
While it's clear that streaming platforms like DAZN are reshaping the landscape of sports broadcasting, it's crucial to strike a balance that caters to all types of viewers. The reopening of negotiations is a positive step towards ensuring that Belgian football remains accessible on traditional TV for fans who prefer this medium. However, the outcome will largely depend on whether an agreement can be reached regarding pricing and sublicensing deals.
