SERIE A TV RIGHTS CONUNDRUM: WHAT’S HAPPENING?

With 158 votes in favor, 3 against, and 3 abstentions, on Wednesday, February 15, the Senate approved a government amendment abolishing the possibility of extending sports broadcasting licenses to five years. Let’s take stock of the situation surrounding Serie A, DAZN, Sky, and the potential entry of Prime Video into Italy’s top sports scene.

On February 14, Serie A issued a statement after the club assembly, supporting an amendment proposed by Senator Claudio Lotito, Lazio’s president. The statement highlighted that “the possibility of a maximum two-year extension of existing contracts with DAZN and Sky for the 2021-2024 audiovisual rights represents a very useful option, which, while neither automatic nor binding, strategically aids the League and its Associates in ensuring the best and most efficient valorization of Serie A in the coming years.”

However, the proposal for an extension, stemming from the majority coalition that Senator Lotito is part of, was struck down by the amendment, sparking surprise from Serie A president Lorenzo Casini. He clarified that the extension aimed not to favor any particular party but to ensure “better procedures and negotiations.” The official note emphasized that the extension would impose no burden on public finances, as the League hoped to “pursue all possible actions to best enhance the football industry, whose revenue and tax contributions sustain all Italian sports.”

DAZN and Sky, currently paying €840 million and €87.5 million respectively (Sky for three co-exclusive matches) for a total of €927.5 million per season until 2023/24, have yet to comment. However, their support for extensions seems inevitable. Serie A aims to buy more time, as, unlike the lucrative Premier League, the Italian product struggles to fetch around €1 billion due to declining appeal, outdated facilities, and recent judicial issues involving Italy’s top team internationally.

Meanwhile, Antitrust calls for lower prices and broader distribution of football content. Could Sky reclaim exclusive rights to Italian football? And would they outbid London-based DAZN?

As reported by Milano Finanza, speculation about Amazon’s Prime Video entering the mix is gaining momentum. After securing rights to 16 exclusive UEFA Champions League matches and given its vast financial resources, could Prime Video be a plausible contender for Serie A rights?

The future of Italian football’s TV rights is shrouded in uncertainty and unpredictable scenarios. Yet one thing is certain: the Premier League remains far ahead of all other European leagues. Much work lies ahead for Italian sports structures to regain international appeal and attempt to compete with their English counterparts, who currently seem uncatchable.

By Luca D’Addario