Nordic Entertainment secures darts for Dutch launch

Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) has secured the exclusive rights to show live Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) darts in the Netherlands on its Viaplay streaming service from 2022, when its Dutch service will launch.

NENT Group said the latest addition to its roster of sports rights in the country would complement its recently acquired Dutch rights to Formula 1 and Bundesliga football.

The five-year agreement makes Viaplay the exclusive Dutch home of PDC darts tournaments, including the World Darts Championship, Premier League Darts, World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, European Championship, Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals, in addition to the World Series of Darts Finals.

NENT Group and the PDC will also work together to develop a live darts event in the Netherlands featuring the world’s leading players. More details will be announced shortly, the pair said.

In addition to darts, NENT Group’s deal with Matchroom Sport also secures live coverage of snooker’s Champion of Champions and Championship League events for Viaplay in the Netherlands, along with pool’s World Pool Masters, World Pool Championship, World Cup of Pool, US Open Championship and Mosconi Cup, alongside a

range of further sports content including table tennis, ten-pin bowling, basketball and netball.

Peter Nørrelund, NENT Group chief sports officer, said: “We’re coming to the Netherlands to be a streaming leader. That means securing the most relevant local sports rights, in addition to offering great original content. All-time greats such as Michael van Gerwen, the world number one for seven straight years, and Raymond van Barneveld, famed for his five world titles and mid-2000s rivalry with Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, have built a huge Dutch darts audience. Alongside Formula 1 and Bundesliga, Viaplay is once again on target with the best premium sports in the Netherlands.”

Barry Hearn, PDC president, said: “NENT Group are already valued broadcast partners across a number of territories and their expansion into the Netherlands is an exciting time for both them and the PDC. Darts is hugely popular across the Netherlands and this partnership will give fans the chance to continue to enjoy top-class PDC tournaments through Viaplay.”