European streaming network, Viaplay, has secured rights to broadcast French soccer's top-tier Ligue 1 matches through to the 2028-29 season in the Netherlands and Nordic countries. This move significantly boosts Ligue 1’s European coverage presence.
Viaplay has successfully acquired broadcasting rights for Ligue 1 in five markets: the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. The coverage will commence with Nantes vs Monaco on January 10th. This deal marks an end to the blackout of the popular 18-team league across these countries.
Previously, pay-TV broadcaster Ziggo Sport held Dutch broadcasting rights for Ligue 1 from the cycle of 2021-24 which ended after the completion of its term in the year of its namesake. In contrast, Viaplay had held broadcasting rights in Nordic countries between years of 2018 and 2021 before they were fragmented for that cycle.
Impact on local players
The new deal is particularly significant considering there are currently ten Dutch players contracted to various teams within Ligue 1. Among them is one of their most prominent players - Jordan Teze who plays for Monaco.
The Infront agency played a crucial role as it served as media rights distribution partner for The Professional Football League (LFP) across these five markets under a deal announced last May. In mid-December last year, another significant partnership was formed when Sport24 - an entertainment service owned by international sports agency IMG - signed a multi-year agreement with LFP.
However, it hasn't been all smooth sailing; over recent months there have been some tumultuous times regarding media rights at large within LFP. For instance domestic rights for current cycles were sold just weeks before commencement at values significantly lower than what the LFP Media division had initially hoped for. This new deal with Ligue 1 is a significant step forward for Viaplay as it continues to expand its sports broadcasting portfolio across Europe.
