German broadcaster Sportdigital has launched the new pay-TV channels Sportdigital1+ and eSportsONE on 1 January 2025.
The channels, previously operated by Munich-based broadcaster Sport1 under the brands Sport1+ and eSports1, moved to Sportdigital in Hamburg as part of a spin-off agreement between the companies announced in November 2024.
“The transition went very smoothly and we would like to thank our distribution platform partners for their trust in us.” Sportdigital managing director Gisbert Wundram told Broadband TV News. He confirmed that the cable, IPTV and streaming distribution contracts with all major platform operators were renewed, securing a substantial audience reach for the channels. This also refers to the trendSports package on Astra (19.2° East) which makes Sportdigital1+ and eSportsONE available to DTH satellite households through Sky Deutschland and HD+.
In addition to the platform partners, Sportdigital1+ and eSportsONE are also available on the Sportdigital+ app along with other sports channels which is offered for smart TVs and mobile devices. As a special incentive, the montly subscription remains at €4.99 per month, making the two new channels available at no additional charge. If a 12-month subscription is selected, the price drops to €3.75 per month.
The broadcast rights previously held by Sport1+ and eSports1, amounting to more than 60 leagues and competitions, were nearly all successfully transferred to the new channels, according to Bendix Eisermann, fellow managing director of Sportdigital. Several new rights were added, for example from the Spanish Basketball Clubs Association (acb) and the UK’s Super League Rugby. Sportdigital also secured the live and exclusive broadcast rights to all races of the NASCAR motorsports series.
Sportdigital intends to expand the distribution of the two new channels over the coming months, confirmed Wundram, adding that negotiations are underway with further platform operators. The sports competition portfolio will also be expanded with new rights acqusitions.
