Italy: blackout on DAZN during broadcast of two Serie A matches due to CTS, a subsidiary of Comcast

"We are investigating the issue caused by our partner Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS), which affected DAZN and other European broadcasters. We are very saddened by what happened on our platform today (Sunday 11/04/2021). We are very aware of the great responsibility we have towards all the fans and the whole sports world," said the OTT platform DAZN Italy, following a blackout that prevented the broadcast of two Serie A TIM matches (FC Inter Milan - Cagliari Calcio and Hellas Verona FC - SS Lazio), on 11/04/2021.

Comcast Technology solutions is a subsidiary of the US conglomerate Comcast, as is pay-TV operator Sky Italia, which was competing with DAZN for the Italian broadcasting rights to the Serie A TIM awarded to the OTT platform (all matches, including 7 out of 10 on an exclusive basis), over the 2021-2024 cycle, for €840m per season, on 26/03/2021. DAZN currently broadcasts (2018-2021 cycle) three games per matchday while Sky Italia broadcasts seven.

"Although the problem has now been resolved, we are aware of the effect this situation has had on fans in particular, we will…