Major Changes in Bundesliga Broadcasting Rights Starting Next Season

The Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) has concluded the auction for Bundesliga broadcasting rights for the seasons starting in 2025, and significant changes are underway. According to reports from Bild Newspaper and the German Press Agency, these changes will reshape how fans watch their favorite teams. The shakeup involves major players like Sky and DAZN, with each platform taking on new responsibilities for live game coverage.DAZN Takes Over Bundesliga ConferenceIn a surprising turn, Sky has lost the Bundesliga Conference Pay-TV rights, a staple of its programming, to DAZN. The streaming service will now handle the broadcasting of 161 games traditionally grouped together in the Saturday afternoon conference, a significant shift for fans accustomed to Sky’s coverage.This marks a major expansion for DAZN, as it assumes responsibility for broadcasting these games as well as its existing Sunday match rights. The service aims to solidify its position as a premier destination for Bundesliga coverage.Sky Retains Largest Rights PackageDespite losing the conference package, Sky has managed to retain an even larger share of Bundesliga rights. The broadcaster will now handle:

• All single games on Saturdays at 15:30, totaling 196 games per season.The top Saturday evening match at 18:30, which will feature marquee clubs like FC Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund up to 10 times per season.

These changes underline Sky’s commitment to providing high-quality, live coverage of key Bundesliga moments.The Cost of Watching Bundesliga for FansFans are facing a less favorable scenario with these changes. To follow both single games on Sky and the Bundesliga Conference on DAZN, viewers will now need subscriptions to both services. This dual-subscription model could increase the financial burden on football enthusiasts, creating debates about the affordability of comprehensive Bundesliga access.Breakdown of CoverageDAZN

• Saturday Bundesliga Conference: 161 gamesSunday matches: Existing rights retained

Sky

• Single Saturday games at 15:30: 196 matchesTop Saturday evening match at 18:30: Up to 10 high-profile games

The agreements will remain in effect until 2029.The Second Auction AttemptThis auction marked the second attempt by the DFL to allocate broadcasting rights. The first attempt in April was abruptly halted after a dispute between the DFL and DAZN over a bank guarantee for Package B (196 live games). The issue was escalated to the German Institution for Arbitration (DIS), which deemed the original auction invalid, requiring the entire process to restart.This time, both Sky and DAZN have emerged as major beneficiaries, dividing the rights in a way that ensures substantial coverage for each platform.What It Means for the BundesligaThe redistribution of broadcasting rights represents a shift in strategy by the DFL to balance revenue generation and audience reach. By involving both traditional broadcasters like Sky and streaming services like DAZN, the DFL is attempting to cater to evolving viewer habits while maximizing financial returns.For fans, however, the increased fragmentation of rights means adjusting to new platforms and likely facing higher overall subscription costs.Upcoming FixturesFor the current season, fans can expect an exciting lineup of matches:Matchday 12 Fixtures:

• Friday, 29.11.:
  • St. Pauli vs. Kiel (Result: 3-1)
  Saturday, 30.11.:
  • Union vs. Leverkusen (1-1)Bremen vs. Stuttgart (1-1)Leipzig vs. Wolfsburg (0-3)Freiburg vs. Gladbach (1-0)Augsburg vs. Bochum (1-0)Dortmund vs. Bayern (18:30 CET)
  Sunday, 01.12.:
  • Mainz vs. Hoffenheim (15:30 CET)Heidenheim vs. Frankfurt (17:30 CET)

Looking AheadThe official results of the DFL auction are expected to be formally announced after the DFL membership meeting. As broadcasters adapt to their new roles, it remains to be seen how fans will respond to these changes.Sky and DAZN’s respective packages ensure robust coverage, but with the increasing fragmentation of rights, the pressure on platforms to provide value for their subscribers will only grow. As the Bundesliga enters this new broadcasting era, the challenge lies in maintaining accessibility for fans while maximizing revenue for the league.