German football league looks to free internet highlights

The German football league, the DFL, is reportedly considering introducing a free-to-view internet-only highlights window in place of the highlights show previously aired by public broadcaster ARD on Saturdays at 18:30.

Under the new plan, the DFL could introduce an internet highlights package at 19:00, with free TV highlights available only after 21:45. The DFL wants to give pay TV broadcaster Sky more exclusivity in Bundesliga football coverage in order to increase the value of the packages it buys, while public broadcaster ARD has reduced its sports budget. ARD has indicated it would not be interested in a later free-to-air TV window. The DFL said it had been in discussion with the Federal Cartel Office about the introduction of a later free-to-air window.