Vodafone now has a third of the Sport TV – publico

 
         

                 

                         
                     

                 

 
 

There are a move in the game of football television rights. Vodafone entered the shareholder of Sport TV structure through the share capital with rival In and Olivedesportos.

The two operators and the company Joaquim Oliveira pass thus have a third each Sport TV, which, in addition to the Portuguese Football League and the Cup of Portugal, transmits various European leagues, including the English and Spanish. In addition, the from August 5, a new sports information channel Sport TV will be available, without subscription, in all cable TV providers.

the announcement comes in the same week that the in (partially owned by Sonae, owner of PUBLIC) and Meo put an end to a television football rights war that began last year. Under the agreement, which also includes Vodafone and Cabovisão, operators shall ensure the reciprocal provision of broadcasting rights of events and sports channels, as well as the allocation of costs associated with such content.

Following understanding, customers in again have access to the Port Channel (whose rights belong to the Meo and had been cut), while the Meo saw guaranteed the opportunity to continue to have access paid to Benfica TV, whose rights belong the in and should pass along the next time the Benfica games at home.

at the end of last year, the in and Meo announced contracts for the transmission of several clubs home games in multi-million dollar contracts and lasting several years. The We signed a contract of 446 million euros with Sporting (ten times from 2018) and a 400 million euros with Benfica (three years with the possibility of extension, already started in 2016). For its part, the Meo pay 458 million euros for ten seasons of FC Porto (also from 2018). The We also bought the rights for several other clubs, including Belenenses, Pacos Ferreira Sporting Braga and Vitoria Setubal, while clubs like Vitória Guimarães and Boavista signed with Meo. Vodafone chose not to enter this contest.

In 2012 there had been an attempt to create a tripartite shareholder structure in Sport TV, dividing the capital between Controlinveste (Joaquim Oliveira), Zon (which, with Optimus, came to give rise to in) and PT (owner of Meo and though bought by Altice). The so-called “Operation Triangle” was prohibited by the Competition Authority. Last month, the regulator said this made plans to intervene in the duration of contracts with clubs so that they do not exceed three years.