TV2 has struck a major blow against Canal+ in the Norwegian market after the commercial channel signed a three-year multiplatform deal to screen the English Premier League from the 2010/11 season. The agreement is awaiting sign-off from the Premier League in London, which is expected to give its approval within the next month.
No financial details have been given, though TV2 had earlier agreed to pay NKr390 million (€47 million) for the rights in a pre-sale agreement with the controversial football agent Rune Hauge, who had been advising on the process. The rights were subsequently sold to Medge Consulting, owned by former Canal+ Nordic executives Peter Liljestrand and Tim Smart.
Unlike previous agreements that have been sold on a pan-Nordic basis, the new contract has been split into individual countries, giving Canal+ the opportunity to retain its prize in Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
The new TV2 deal covers TV, including HD broadcasts, mobile and the internet. In addition to its linear channel, the Bergen-based broadcaster runs a number of thematic channels including TV2 Sport.