German Pay-TV operator Sky Deutschland will no longer be able to broadcast its iconic Saturday afternoon Bundesliga conference from the 2025/26 season.
This rights package has been secured by sports streaming service DAZN. However, Sky Deutschland will retain rights to broadcast individual Bundesliga matches on Saturday afternoons, Friday evening games, and other select fixtures.
In the recently reopened tender for the domestic Bundesliga TV rights, DAZN acquired package A, which includes the live Bundesliga conference, and package D, comprising rights to 79 Sunday matches, according to information by German news agency dpa and German newspaper BILD.
Sky Deutschland secured package B, granting the broadcaster the Saturday live games at 15:30 CET, Friday night matches, and relegation playoff fixtures. Sky also acquired package C, covering Saturday evening matches at 18:30 CET and the prestigious Supercup. Package C, although limited to 34 games, includes high-profile matches and remains a valuable asset.
The domestic Bundesliga TV rights for the 2025/26 to 2028/29 seasons were auctioned by German Football League DFL in a total of 15 packages. The outcome is critical for Bundesliga clubs, as TV rights revenues represent the largest share of their income.
This was the second attempt to auction these rights. The first attempt in April 2024 was halted after a dispute between DFL and DAZN regarding a bank guarantee for package B. The matter was resolved by an arbitration tribunal which revoked Sky’s prior award of package B and ordered a re-auction.
While neither Sky, DAZN, nor the DFL have commented officially, the auction results are expected to be confirmed on 5 December 2024 following DFL’s general assembly.
The Bundesliga conference on Saturdays at 15:30 CET is a unique German broadcasting format, invented by Sky Deutschland, that allows fans to follow all simultaneous afternoon matches via live switching between the games. Its appeal lies in its dynamic presentation of goals, key moments and drama as they unfold across multiple stadiums. DAZN’s acquisition marks a significant shift, reflecting the growing influence of streaming services in European sports broadcasting.
