Advanced Television

Portugal names FTA sport events

May 26, 2016

By Branislav Pekic in Rome

The Portuguese government has released a list of sporting events of public interest that must be transmitted live on free-to-air TV.

The so-called “listed events” includes one match per week of one of the top 5 clubs in the Portugal’s Premier League, matches of the national football team, the final of the Portuguese Cup, the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games and the Tour de Portugal.

Other events to be available FTA include one match per round of a Portuguese club in the Champions League, as well as the opening, quarter-final, semi-final and final matches of the 2016 European Football Championship.

The decision, published in this week’s Official Gazette, opens the way for the transmission of Premier League games on national broadcasters RTP, SIC and TVI.

Meanwhile, Portuguese telco NOS is planning to launch a channel that will mainly air live coverage sports, music and cinema events. Canal NOS, which will be available free-to-air, will also air content in 4K. NOS recently purchased the TV rights for matches of ten Premier League clubs, including Benfica and Sporting.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, FTA, Policy, Regulation