Streaming service DAZN drops football broadcasting contract

Streaming service DAZN is terminating its contract with the Jupiler Pro League for the broadcasting of Belgian football.

“No company can be forced to operate at a loss,” the British streaming group said, placing the blame on Belgian legislation.

DAZN has been unable to sell Belgian football broadcasts to telecom providers such as Proximus and Telenet in recent months. As a result, the matches could only be viewed online via the DAZN app.

Proximus said in a response that discussions with DAZN were still ongoing and that a deal was still possible.

It is unclear what the consequences will be for viewers, including for this weekend’s matches. Friday's match day kicks off with the game between KV Mechelen and Standard Liège. Sunday's top match, a Brussels derby between Anderlecht and Union Saint-Gilloise, might also not be screened.

If the conflict over broadcasting rights between DAZN and the Pro League is not resolved before the weekend, VAR virtual refereeing will most likely only be partially operational, according to the Belgian Football Association (KBVB), which sees no option for VAR to function fully without television cameras.

DAZN's decision may mean that there will be no television recordings of professional matches in Belgium. No cameras in the stadiums means that VAR may only be able to intervene for offside situations via the fixed cameras that are present in the stadiums for that purpose.

KBVB discussed this possibility after DAZN's announcement and does not see how VAR could otherwise be implemented. Since it would apply to all matches on that match day, the association sees no regulatory problem. The fact that (at least) one match day would be played without VAR, while all the others would be played with it, would not be an issue.

“These are good questions that we will look into, but let’s first assume that we can reach a reasonable agreement with DAZN. Namely, one that consists of them fulfilling their commitments,” said Lorin Parys, chief executive of the Pro League.

The streaming service said it wanted to continue broadcasting Belgian football this season, but is seeking a new agreement with new terms and conditions and claims the next steps are up to the Pro League, the organisation of Belgian professional clubs, which has not yet responded.

DAZN customers have in the meantime received an email about the situation, though it does not provide any clarity about whether or not the broadcasts will continue.

“As soon as the situation has been clarified, we will contact you with all the necessary information,” the email reads.

If no new agreement is reached with the Pro League, DAZN would be prepared to reimburse its subscribers. It is currently no longer possible to take out a new subscription.

Normally, DAZN would also have to make a new payment to the clubs at the end of November. With the termination of the contract, this will not happen. Until now, the media company has fulfilled its financial obligations. The five-season deal between DAZN and the Pro League was worth €84 million per season.