ARD & ZDF Get German Rights to Euro 2016

February 23, 2012

ARD and ZDF have secured the exclusive broadcastinhg rights in Germany for all UEFA EURO 2016 matches, following a tender process launched in 2011, UEFA have announced.

This is the first media rights agreement to have been concluded in Europe for the 2016 tournament, which will be held in France. UEFA EURO 2016 will have a renewed format with 24 participating teams and a total of 51 matches.

ARD and ZDF are UEFA’s established public-broadcast content partners for national team competitions in Germany and they will ensure extensive live free-to-air coverage of UEFA EURO 2016. Dedicated magazine and highlights programmes will complement both broadcasters’ offerings. In addition, coverage of the competition will also be made available on the internet, radio and mobile devices.

Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director of UEFA Events SA, said: “National team football is continuously enjoying massive popularity in Germany, also reflected by exceptional television ratings in recent years. In the run-up to UEFA EURO 2012, we are delighted to have extended our long-standing relationship with ARD and ZDF. Both broadcasters have an exceptional track record of broadcasting major international sporting events and they are the perfect home for the UEFA European Championship.”

by Ismail Uddin