Polish public-service broadcaster, TVP, has secured domestic coverage rights to soccer’s top-tier Ekstraklasa matches through a sub-licensing deal with pay-TV’s Canal Plus. This agreement comes midway through the 2023-24 Ekstraklasa season.
The previous sub-licensing tie-up between TVP and Canal Plus covering the Ekstraklasa expired at the end of 2022-23. It had not been renewed until now, which meant that the first few months of this year’s Ekstraklasa season were not available free-to-air.
Under the new agreement, TVP is showing 15 matches from the remainder of this season in a prime Sunday slot often featuring highly anticipated games. The first match under these terms took place recently when Śląsk Wrocław lost 1-0 to Pogoń Szczecin.
Tomasz Sygut, TVP General Director, said:
“We are satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations. The signed agreement pleases us and confirms our vision of sport, which should be widely available and free of charge to all viewers.”
Canal Plus recently retained Ekstraklasa rights till 2026/27 season
Canal Plus retained rights for the 2023-24 to 2026-27 cycle through a deal unveiled in October 2022. This four-year contract is worth PLN1.3 billion ($299.2 million), or PLN325 million per year.
In addition to linear broadcasting, Ekstraklasa games will be made available live on various digital platforms including the TVP mobile app. Furthermore, an Ekstraklasa-focused highlights show will also be covered by TVP where viewers can see goals and other highlights from all games across the league's eighteen teams.
Towards late last year, Canal Plus began providing coverage of the Ekstraklasa on YouTube as part of its efforts to expand its reach beyond traditional broadcasting channels.
Marcin Animucki, the Ekstralasa president, said:
“This is great news for the league and all soccer fans. We are glad that our games will once again be able to be watched in all Polish homes, which is also of great importance for the long-term development of soccer in Poland and the popularization of Polish games among a wide range of fans, including the young generation.”
Canal Plus lowered its asking price to strike a deal with TVP
It has been reported that Canal Plus had to significantly lower its asking price in terms of a rights fee from TVP for the deal to be finalized. This move is seen as a win for sports fans who will now have broader access to Ekstraklasa games.
TVP has now added Ekstraklasa rights to its four-year deal with the Polish Football Association announced in October. This agreement covers the Polish Cup and Polish Super Cup competitions, the women’s top-tier Orlen Ekstraliga, the final of the Orlen Polish Cup, as well as second and third-tier I Liga matches and II Liga men’s leagues until 2027.
This new sub-licensing deal between TVP and Canal Plus marks an exciting development for sports fans in Poland. With expanded coverage across multiple platforms, viewers can look forward to more comprehensive access to their favorite soccer games.
