V2 wins TV rights deal

V2 and communication company Telenor (Canal Digital) have won their TV-rights battle against NRK over a deal worth approximately €120m for four years of football. The saga has been the bitterest TV-rights battle in the history of Norwegian football.

NRK and TV2 normally co-operate but NRK wanted an exclusive package this time. The Football Association (FA) is delighted as both NRK and TV2 made huge bids, but TV2 offered the most money. The rights include three years of Tippeligaen football, three years of Cup competitions and four years of national team matches. As a result of this TV2 are now planning to start a new pay-tv channel.

NRK can no longer broadcast pictures from the matches before 23:00 the same night. Matches are usually scheduled for 18:00, which means several hours of waiting for the viewers.