By Alexander Krassimirov
July 9 – Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia may have been dropped to the amateur divisions of the country’s football structure, but the club is still in demand. Four Bulgarian broadcasters are fighting over TV rights for the club’s matches in the amateur V league.
Kanal 3, TV7, Nova Broadcasting Group and bTV all want to broadcast CSKA’s matches live. The club had the highest ratings in its last two seasons in the A group – Bulgaria’s top division.
Kanal 3 currently holds rights to broadcast V group matches. However, Nova, TV7 and bTV – all national televisions – are bidding to take the rights. Nova Broadcasting Group currently has the rights for Bulgaria’s top division.
CSKA matches were not only the most watched on TV but they also had the highest average stadium attendance – key for advertisers.
It is un clear what will happen with the A group TV rights contract. It is possible that Nova may drop the rights fee paid to clubs in its bid to retain the rights to broadcast CSKA.
TV7’s proposal is also interesting. TV7 broadcast A group matches in 2012/13 and 2013/14 but is now bidding for CSKA matches only. The channel has proposed to broadcast al the club’s home matches in prime time with either 7pm or 8pm kick offs.
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