Commercial Slots For Bundesliga Programming Are Sought-After Commodity

German public broadcaster ARD "has posted less income from commercial sales for its Bundesliga-Spotschau format in the first half of the '12-13 season than in the previous year," according to Alexander Krei of DWDL. However, ARD "seems optimistic that this will change." ARD Sport Marketing Head Michael Lina said, "The number of bookings is already higher than in January of the previous year -- by about 20%." Similarly positive is the outlook for pay-TV channel Sky, which "has already sold 85% of its commercial slots with a couple of days reaming until the start of the second half of the Bundesliga season."  In addition, sports channel Sport1's Bundesliga programs are "more sought-after than ever before." A possible reason could be the switch of the UEFA Champions League from private channel Sat.1 to public broadcaster ZDF. Many advertisers switch to Bundesliga programs because they are not allowed to advertise during the ZDF's Champions League broadcasts (DWDL, 1/14).

ALL IN ON THE AMERICAS: DWDL's Krei also reported German pay-TV channel sportdigital "has acquired the rights to the final round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil." In addition, sportdigital "has extended its deal with the South American Copa Libertadores for another two seasons and acquired the rights for the Brazilian Cup competition (Copa do Brasil) for '13 and '14" (DWDL, 1/14).