Italy’s top football league Serie A has officially launched its domestic broadcast rights sales tender, with a closing deadline for bids of 26 January.
Three separate packages have been issued: Package A covers satellite platform rights, Package B concerns exclusive digital terrestrial rights, and finally Platform C covers co-exclusive internet, IPTV and mobile platforms.
Each package commands a substantial price, with Package A costing a minimum of €500 million per season, whilst Package B is valued at €400 million and Package C at €250 million.
Any purchaser of the three main packages will be given the option of an additional ‘Gold’ package of ‘accessory rights.’
Potential bidders do, however, have the option of purchasing alternative packages – named Packages 1, 2 and 3 – which are priced at a minimum of €750 million, €250 million and €150 million respectively.
Package 1 covers exclusive rights across all platforms, whilst Package 2 similarity covers all platforms but with the caveat that rights for internet, IPTV and mobile broadcasting must be co-exclusive.
Finally, Package 3 includes the internet, IPTV and mobile rights held co-exclusively with the winner of Package 2.
The league aims to raise at least €1.15 billion per season from the sale of its domestic broadcast rights from 2021-2022 to 2023-2024.
Under its previous three year arrangement with Sky Italia and global OTT sports broadcaster DAZN, Serie A raised a total of €973 million.
If the goal of €1.15 billion is achieved this will represent an 18% increase in the league’s domestic broadcasting revenues.
Separate invitations to tender (ITT) documents have been provided, one for “communications providers” and another for “independent intermediaries.”
