In a bold move to increase revenue, Italy's top-tier football league, Serie A, is considering the launch of its own video streaming service. This decision comes as a response to the perceived underwhelming offers from broadcasters for the rights to air live football matches.
Luigi De Siervo, the Chief Executive of Serie A, was quoted by Reuters stating that the league has the necessary infrastructure to offer matches directly to viewers. This move could potentially revolutionize the way fans consume football content, providing them with more direct and unfiltered access to their favourite teams and players.
Serie A has been in negotiations with several major broadcasters, including DAZN, Sky Italia and MediaForEurope, regarding the live rights for the upcoming five seasons, starting from 2024-25. However, the league's demand for a minimum of €1 billion per season for the rights has not been met by any of the broadcasters.
The current rights, which are set to expire in June of the following year, are valued at €930 million. DAZN currently holds the majority of these rights, indicating its significant role in the broadcasting of Serie A matches.
Earlier reports indicated that Serie A had postponed a decision on the rights in July, with an expected resolution in October. However, with the broadcasters' offers falling short of Serie A's expectations, the league is now exploring alternative avenues to maximize its revenue and reach.
The potential launch of a dedicated video service by Serie A could set a precedent for other football leagues around the world. It could also reshape the landscape of sports broadcasting, giving leagues more control over their content and potentially leading to a more direct relationship between sports organizations and their fans.
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