Viaplay Group bekræfter køb af britisk sports tv-kanal

Som vi tidligere har beskrevet, så var Viaplay Group interesseret i den britiske sports tv-kanal Premier Sports. Her 21. juli bekræfter Viaplay så at handlen er en realitet.

Premier Sports har 222.000 betalende abonnenter og rettigheder som La Liga, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup og Coppa Italia football; United Rugby Championship, Rugby Football League og Top 14 rugby; NASCAR motorsport samt Elite Ice Hockey League. Premier Sports består af to tv-kanaler og streamingtilbuddet Premier Player samt gratis kanalen FreeSports.

Viaplay Group ser gode synergieffekter ved købet og deres allerede indkøbte rettigheder til deres britiske lancering senere i år. Premier Sports får Viaplay branding efter overtagelsen, og Viaplay Group kan dermed få mere synlighed i forbindelse med deres britiske satsning.

Anders Jensen, Viaplay Group President and CEO: “This acquisition will put Viaplay firmly on the UK map and accelerate our development in this key market. Premier Sports has a loyal and expanding subscriber base, well-established distribution agreements and production capabilities, and a great sports portfolio that complements our own. There is also a big opportunity to make Viaplay’s wider offering, including our award-winning Viaplay Originals, available to Premier Sports’ subscribers. We have secured this growing and profitable business at an attractive valuation. This is a fast and effective route to building an even stronger position for Viaplay in the UK.”

Richard Sweeney, Premier Sports CEO: “At Premier Sports, we’re proud to have created a dynamic, innovative sports streamer and broadcaster over the past 13 years. From modest beginnings, and through the hard work and dedication of our people, we have continually grown the company, and today we have an extensive portfolio of must-see live sports that entertain loyal customers across the UK. Our sale to Viaplay Group will dramatically increase the content available to new and existing subscribers. This is the start of an exciting new chapter in the development of the business, and is great news for our colleagues, customers and partners.”