Versant's USA Sports secures US Bundesliga rights in live programming push

Versant's USA Sports secures US Bundesliga rights in live programming push July 14 : Versant Media's USA Sports said on Tuesday it had struck a multi-year deal to become the exclusive English-language U.S. broadcaster of Germany's Bundesliga starting in August. The agreement reflects a broader industry push into live programming, which media companies see as a way to win viewers and add subscribers in a mature streaming market. Here are some more details: • The deal, running through the 2030-31 season, will bring more than 300 live matches each year to USA Network and streaming service, Fandango. • Coverage will kick off on August 22 with "Der Klassiker," one of the Bundesliga's biggest rivalries, featuring defending champions Bayern Munich against Borussia Dortmund in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. • At least 30 matches will air on USA Network, while the remaining matches will stream free on Fandango, featuring clubs like Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and RB Leipzig. • Robin Austermann, executive vice president of Bundesliga Americas, said the Bundesliga's U.S. fan base had grown 43 per cent over the last five years. • This marks the league's first major shift in U.S. broadcast partners since ESPN+ acquired Bundesliga rights in 2019 for the 2020–2026 period. • The Bundesliga agreement adds to USA Sports' portfolio of long-term rights deals, including the Women's National Basketball Association, the Professional Golfers' Association of America and the DP World Tour, all of which run into the 2030s.