In the case of ghost games in the course of the corona virus in the Bundesliga, Sky and DAZN are apparently currently thinking about transmitting the affected games free of charge.
- The corona virus continues to spread
- Large-scale events such as Bundesliga games could soon be canceled
- In the case of ghost games , a free TV broadcast is being considered
Munich - In order to slow the spread of the coronavirus (Sars-CoV-2) *, Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn called on Monday to cancel major events with more than 1000 participants.
The Bavarian state government now wants to cancel such events by Easter. This may affect some sports events . It could happen that the DEL playoffs , which start on Wednesday, are held without spectators . For FC Bayern ** there could soon be ghost games in the Bundesliga or the Champions League.
The DFL is already preparing for games without spectators. “We would love to play with spectators the next matchday. Unfortunately, this is not realistic, ”DFL managing director Christian Seifert said live on Monday at Bild .
Corona virus: Bundesliga games could be broadcast on TV for free
So what to do if the fans are not allowed into the stadium? Apparently, it was negotiated behind the scenes whether the ghost games would then be available on TV for free . Dpa inquired about the pay-TV channel Sky on Monday. "We are continuously in close exchange on all topics related to the corona virus and in coordination with our long-term partner DFL, " it said in an official statement.
At the sporting events that will be canceled in the coming months, we will all be able to test whether, despite our love of sport, we are still able to correctly assess and accept its true meaning.
- Max-Jacob Ost (@GNetzer) March 9, 2020Then on Monday evening the clear announcement: For Sky, a free broadcast of the Bundesliga games is currently unthinkable. "This is not what the contracts give in this form," said a spokesman at the request of the Düsseldorf Rheinische Post. A similar model has been speculated in the English Premier League in the case of ghost games. The game in the premier class between RB Leipzig and Tottenham Hotspur takes place in any case with fans in the stadium.
If there are games without fans, Sky will emphasize the exchange with the DFL . Without the consent of the DFL , it was not possible under any circumstances: "If a decision has been made, it can of course be that you come into contact with each other."
Corona virus: what happens in ghost games? Games on free TV probably not feasible
The contracts only state that the pay broadcaster may broadcast two games per season unencrypted for promotional purposes or that the rights may be passed on to a partner such as ARD and ZDF .
When SID asked, Sky said: “Basically, we don't comment on this topic. We are continuously in close contact and in consultation with our long-term partner DFL on the issues related to the corona virus *. "
For the game on Friday between Fortuna Düsseldorf and SC Paderborn, streaming provider DAZN is advising on Monday about a possible free transmission .
smk / dpa / sid
* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital network
** tz.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital network
List of rubric lists: © dpa / Jochen Lübke
