Viaplay Group and Canal+ Polska agree major Polish distribution partnership
Edyta Sadowska, Canal+
Viaplay Group and the Polish pay-TV operator Canal+ Polska have agreed a direct-to-home (DTH) distribution partnership in Poland that will make the Viaplay streaming service available to Canal+ Polska’s premium DTH subscribers across the country. Viaplay Group will also sub-licence selected Premier League matches to Canal+ Polska for the next three seasons. The matches will be available from the beginning of August, when the Premier League season kicks off.
Direct subscribers to Canal+ Polska’s premium DTH package will be able to access Viaplay’s combination of live sports, Viaplay Originals, Hollywood films and series, and kids content. Access will be rolled out on a gradual basis starting this autumn; further details will be available in the coming weeks.
Starting from August, two top live Premier League matches per round will be available on Canal+ channels for the next three seasons. All matches from the Premier League season, which spans 38 rounds comprising 10 matches in total, will be streamed live on Viaplay. In turn, Canal+ Polska will sub-licence up to two live matches per round from the Polish speedway league eWinner I Liga Żużlowa to Viaplay Group in Poland. The sub-licensed speedway matches will also remain available on Canal+ channels and services.
Kim Poder, Viaplay Group chief commercial officer, said: “Poland is a key market for Viaplay, and we want as many viewers as possible to try our unique service for themselves. This long-term agreement with one of Poland’s largest pay-TV operators will expand our addressable market significantly over the years to come and is therefore an important step towards realising our high ambitions. It also brings our Premier League coverage to an even larger audience, while showcasing the quality of our sports broadcasts to fans in every part of Poland.”
Edyta Sadowska, Canal+ Polska CEO and general director, said: “With the start of the upcoming season, two top matches of each round of the Premier League will continue to be able to be followed on Canal+ channels, which is undoubtedly excellent news for customers. Thanks to the establishment of co-operation with Viaplay, we will also be able to offer our customers access to further unique content from many different categories. Furthermore, establishing co-operation with another such large partner is a confirmation of our ambitions and commitment to building the most complete and competitive offer of movies, series and sports on the Polish market.”
Alongside Canal+ Polska, Viaplay Group has long-term distribution partnerships in Poland with UPC, Vectra and Play. Viaplay is also available to Polish viewers through direct subscriptions.