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The German Football League (DFL) has awarded the remaining two domestic media rights packages to RTL and Sky. Both packages consist of highlight rights for the next four seasons, from '17-18 until '20-21. RTL secured the highlight rights to all Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga games for distribution on Mondays from 10:15pm-12am. Sky received delayed highlight rights for 2nd Bundesliga games on Fridays from 11:30pm-12am and Sundays from 7:30-9:15pm. The DFL did not reveal any financial terms of the agreements. Monday’s announcement concludes the DFL’s search for domestic media partners after the majority of packages was awarded in mid-June for €4.64B ($5.2B) over the four-year rights cycle. It is also the first time RTL has acquired Bundesliga rights since '92. The Cologne-based free-to-air TV channel, whose sports rights include F1 and boxing, has successfully reintegrated football back into its program mix over the past couple of years. RTL has been the home of the German national team’s Euro and World Cup qualifiers since '14. Germany’s most recent 2018 World Cup qualifier against Norway on Sept. 4 drew more than 9 million viewers and a 30% market share. Sky, which also secured the league’s live broadcast rights, is expected to use the highlight rights on its 24/7 sports news channel Sky Sport News HD, which will be available over the air starting in December.
