The Flemish-language public broadcaster in Belgium, VRT, has secured a deal with DAZN, the global sports subscription broadcaster, for highlights rights to the top-tier men's soccer competition in Belgium - the Pro League.
This agreement is part of a five-season $440 million deal that DAZN holds for domestic rights to the Pro League until 2029-30. The deal allows VRT to offer highlights from each matchweek of the 16-team Pro League starting every Sunday. This move follows a similar sub-licensing agreement that DAZN made with RTBF, another Belgian public-service broadcaster.
Expanding reach through digital platforms
The highlight clips will be available on various platforms including VRT's online website, mobile app and social media networks. Additionally, imagery from games will be featured on news programming on VRT as well as on their Sportsweekend show.
Currently, live action from the Pro League is exclusively available only on DAZN platforms due to carriage deals for live broadcasts with telecom firms such as Proximus and Telenet. In parallel with this development is RTBF's five-season agreement which enables them to provide digital highlights of Pro League matches via its RTBF Actus and Auvio platforms every Sunday evening. These highlights will also feature in La Tribune show aired every Monday night on Auvio and TIPIK.
Furthermore, this partnership includes broadcasting short recaps during TV news segments along with clips from one weekend match in their sports programme - 100% Sport.
Open question
While these agreements mark significant progress in making Belgian football more accessible to fans across different platforms; there remains an open question about whether or not DAZN will strike deals around Pro League rights with Belgium's telecom operators like Telenet and Proximus.
This deal between VRT and DAZN is a significant step in broadening the reach of Belgian football. It not only ensures that fans have access to highlights from each matchweek but also paves the way for potential future collaborations with telecom operators.
