Digital media firm DAZN has agreed to sublicense the rights to the MotoGP racing series to Telefónica-owned Movistar+ for the 2021 season.
DAZN’s over-the-top (OTT) platform, which agreed a deal with MotoGP from 2019 to 2022, has exclusively carried the motorcycle championship for the last two years. DAZN will continue to air races on its digital platforms.
Moreover, DAZN will become integrated with Movistar+ throughout the year, distributing DAZN content through new Movistar+ channels. The entertainment leader has already added Netflix and Disney+ to its platform.
In return, Movistar premium customers will have access to DAZN’s multi-sport offering, including the Premier League, Copa del Rey, Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
James Rushton, Co-Chief Executive Officer at DAZN Group, commented: “The agreement with Movistar+ is a great example of how entertainment platforms and operators can collaborate to deliver more satisfying and intuitive viewing experiences for sports fans.
“It’s also an important moment for the business as we execute on our strategy to drive further growth in our core markets. Starting in March, our customers in Spain will enjoy exclusive coverage of Formula One and with this acquisition, DAZN becomes the must-have platform for motorsport fans in Spain.”
Movistar+ already holds the rights to Formula One, having pipped DAZN to the deal. The pay-television platform also held the rights to MotoGP until 2018, when DAZN swooped in to take over the contract.
However, through the new agreement, coverage of Formula One will now be made available on DAZN via the new DAZN Formula One channel from 1 March, after the company acquired the exploitation rights to the championship for the next three years.
“This agreement with DAZN reinforces our sports offer and will enrich the experience of all sports fans,” reaffirmed Emilio Gayo, President of Telefónica España.
“This relationship reaffirms our commitment to always offer our customers the best content of our own, through our original production and the most relevant content, through the partners who lead the audiovisual industry. To Movistar+ now comes DAZN, an alliance that will celebrate all the successes of sport.”
Both companies were hit hard by the pandemic and it is believed that Movistar+ is planning to increase the price of its motorsport package to €10 from €7.