Viaplay extends reach in pact with Canal+ Poland

Viaplay has extended the reach of its recently-launched Polish service with a deal with Canal+ Polska.

Viaplay and the Polish pay TV operator have agreed a direct-to-home distribution partnership that will make the Viaplay streaming service available to Canal+ Polska’s premium DTH subscribers across the country.

Viaplay Group will also sublicense selected Premier League matches to Canal+ Polska for the next three seasons. The matches will be available on the pay TV operator’s channels from the beginning of August, when the Premier League season kicks off.

Access to the Viaplay offer will be rolled out on a gradual basis to DTH customers starting this autumn.

In addition to the two live Premier League matches per round that will be available on Canal+, all matches from the Premier League season will be streamed live on Viaplay.

In turn, Canal+ Polska will sublicense up to two live matches per round from the Polish speedway league eWinner I Liga Żużlowa to Viaplay Group in Poland. The sublicensed speedway matches will also remain available on Canal+ channels and services.

Viaplay Group already has distribution partnerships in Poland with UPC, Vectra and Play, as well as being available through direct subscriptions.

Kim Poder, Viaplay Group chief commercial officer, said: “Poland is a key market for Viaplay, and we want as many viewers as possible to try our unique service for themselves. This long-term agreement with one of Poland’s largest pay-TV operators will expand our addressable market significantly over the years to come, and is therefore an important step towards realising our high ambitions. It also brings our Premier League coverage to an even larger audience, while showcasing the quality of our sports broadcasts to fans in every part of Poland.”

Edyta Sadowska, Canal+ Polska CEO and general director, said: “With the start of the upcoming season, two top matches of each round of the Premier League will continue to be able to be followed on Canal+ channels, which is undoubtedly excellent news for Canal+ customers. Thanks to the establishment of cooperation with Viaplay, we will also be able to offer our customers access to further unique content from many different categories. Furthermore, establishing cooperation with another such large partner is a confirmation of our ambitions and commitment to building the most complete and competitive offer of movies, series and sports on the Polish market.”