Canal Digital has signed a new distribution agreement with TV2 that secures the Premier League for its Norwegian subscribers over the next three years. The English football competition had been a fixture of the schedules for long-time partner Canal+ until the TV4-owned paycaster was outbid in the 2010-13 rights round.
Following the agreement TV2’s three Premier League channels will be available in HD for both cable and satellite customers.
“We have with TV2 for a long time and we are now pleased to have come up with a comprehensive solution that both parties are happy with,” said Svein Erik Davidsen, managing director, Canal Digital Norway. “We have always distributed the Premier League and it’s a proud football tradition that we are now able to continue”.
Following its acquisition of the Norwegian rights in a deal brokered by Medge Consulting, which had purchased the rights for the Nordic region, TV2 created three 24-hour channels using Premier League material that will show live and recorded matches plus feature items.
After Canal+ lost the Premier League rights, it has been working with its partner and now part owner Canal Digital to promote other parts of the schedule that includes La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Allsvenskan, Copa América and the Carling Cup.
Canal Digital Finland has maintained its Premier League coverage through Canal+, while Canal Digital Denmark has the Premier League through a deal with Kanal 6.