Germany: RTL acquires qualifiers TV rights for Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018

German broadcaster RTL GmbH acquires broadcasting rights in Germany, for the newly centralised European qualifiers, which covers UEFA EURO 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) announced on the 11/07/2013. RTL acquired the rights from CAA Eleven, the Swiss exclusive marketing agency of UEFA for the exploitation of media and commercial rights.

Under the deal, RTL will broadcast the 20 Germany qualifying matches for UEFA EURO 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Free-to-air channel will also broadcast a comprehensive highlights programme on the same night as the German national team matches, featuring the best action from the European Qualifiers. This is the first time RTL will broadcast matches of the German team, excluding friendlies.

RTL was in competition with public TV companies ARD and ZDF, former broadcasters of the qualifying matches of the German team. ARD and ZDF will broadcast in Germany the 51 matches of Euro 2016 (agreement with UEFA on the 22/02/2012). The two public channels will also broadcast friendly matches of the German team…