OneFootball will become a key distributor of DFB Play, the global OTT platform operated by German football association DFB.
The digital football media platform and DFB GmbH & Co. KG, the commercial arm of DFB and rights owner and organiser of most German football leagues and competitions, signed an OTT distribution partnership for this purpose.
Through the agreement, OneFootball will augment the digital distribution of DFB Play, including live and on-demand content from various DFB competitions such as the Men’s and Women’s DFB Pokal, Frauen-Bundesliga, German 3. Liga and Women’s Supercup.
Fans will be offered live-streams and highlights of matches from each matchday, all available through the OneFootball mobile, website and connected TV applications, with highlights amplified through OneFootball’s video player network.
“Partnering with DFB to distribute DFB Play marks another significant step forward in our mission to operate a football media platform that empowers content owners to directly reach, engage, and monetise their communities around the world,” said Maurits Schön, COO of OneFootball.
Speaking on behalf of the partnership, Yannick Ramcke, General Manager OTT, added: “We are excited to provide the DFB brand and content portfolio a platform to bring its competitions as close and accessible as ever to international audiences: from short- to long-from content, from free to paid products, and from small-screen to big-screen devices.”
The launch of DFB Play on OneFootball adds a direct-to-consumer element to the long-standing content and innovation partnership between the parties, which the DFB began leveraging in 2021 to boost global reach and engagement.
Kicking off with the second round of German 3. Liga this upcoming weekend, the premium live matches will be available on a pay-per-view basis for €2.49 (or local currency equivalent) per match. Schedules, pricing, and packaging remain subject to change, and more purchase options might be added later during the season, according to OneFootball.
The distribution rights granted to OneFootball are non-exclusive and come with select geo-blocking restrictions to ensure the exclusive territorial coverage of local broadcasters.
“This agreement with OneFootball represents a strategic move to enhance further the global accessibility of our football content and the reach of DFB Play,” said Kay Dammholz, Senior Head of Media Rights of DFB. “With OneFootball’s expertise and extensive reach, we are confident that fans will enjoy seamless access to our competitions, enhancing their overall viewing experience.”
Men’s DFB Pokal matches will be distributed in selected territories, including the Nordics, Spain, Italy, Malta, Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding Nigeria), Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia, Myanmar, and the Indian Subcontinent. Women’s DFB Pokal matches will be available worldwide, with specific exclusions including DACH, Nordics, UK, Australia, USA, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Spain, Italy, and Israel.
