The protracted £600 million sale of BT Sport to DAZN is expected to reach its endpoint in the next few weeks.
Streaming service DAZN wants to increase its UK profile through the purchase of the channels that were originally established as a means to grow BT’s broadband and TV base. They would give the Sir Len Blavatnik-backed channel access to the Premier League, Champions League and Ashes cricket.
Reuters, who spoke to four separate sources, has been told the deal is still to be finalised and could still collapse.
In September a deal between DAZN and BT was already said to be ready for completion within weeks.
Three months later, Discovery, the operator of Eurosport, emerged as a potential rival. Two of the sources told Reuters that despite Discovery’s recent interest, DAZN remained the favourite to secure the channels.
It’s understood that a major obstacle has been securing agreements both with the rights holders and with distributors Sky and Virgin Media.
In the UK, DAZN is largely known for its boxing coverage, and the acquisition of BT Sport would bring considerable opportunity, and sports rights, to the unprofitable broadcaster.
