Next Media Solutions JSC (Next Media) will become the new official partner of the German Bundesliga following a new five-year agreement which starts August 2020.
The partnership will deliver exclusive live coverage of more than 300 matches per season from the Bundesliga. The long-term agreement also includes live broadcasting of the DFL Supercup, relegation play-off matches, rights to Bundesliga 2. matches, and additional on-demand programming such as highlights and magazine shows.
The agreement ensures that Bundesliga matches will be shown country-wide, on both free-to-air (FTA) channels and as part of a paid subscription service. Next Media will cooperate with local broadcasters to broadcast live matches every week as the 2020/21 season gets underway.
Speaking about the new deal, Bundesliga International CEO Robert Klein said: “This is a landmark moment for us, as it signifies the first time a private media company in Vietnam has acquired the rights to distribute a major European football competition. The Vietnamese have a huge appetite for football, and we are confident that the authentic, entertaining, goal-filled matches will entertain fans throughout the country. Next Media is an ideal partner, having close ties with domestic broadcasters, media and football stakeholders. Together, we look forward to growing the Bundesliga brand and supporting the growth of Vietnamese football with our strategic roadmap, to be delivered with our partner Next Media.”
Speaking about the long-term partnership with the Bundesliga, General Director of Next Media, Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien said: “After much success in the field of copyright and media of domestic tournaments, Next Media has taken the next step to venture into regional, continental and world tournaments. In addition to our exclusive ownership of the AFF Cup 2020 in Vietnam and three other countries (Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia), we are pleased to bring Vietnamese audiences five consecutive seasons of Bundesliga from 2020 to 2025. We are dedicated to continually entertaining Vietnamese fans with the world’s leading sports and football tournaments”.
The Bundesliga is famous for its fast and modern football, storied rivalries and unique clubs. With an average of 3.2 goals per game1 – the highest among all major European leagues, Vietnamese fans can expect exciting, action-packed matches. The Bundesliga also has the second youngest playing squads of the top European leagues, with an average player age of just 26.5, which makes it a perfect platform for future stars. Since 2002, 1.6 billion Euros have been invested by clubs in youth development, and the average age of players in the Bundesliga continues to drop as a result. From 27.1 in the 2001/02 season, to 25.8 in the 2018-19 season, the lowest among the top five European leagues.
Working closely with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the Bundesliga & Next Media are committed to creating a sustainable cooperation, with a key focus in developing young Vietnamese football talent through youth training and developmental programmes.
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