Netherlands: Viaplay to show PDC darts from 2022
May 25, 2021
Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group), the Nordic streaming company, has secured the exclusive rights to show live Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) darts in the Netherlands on its Viaplay streaming service from 2022.
The five-year agreement makes Viaplay the exclusive Dutch home of the world’s best darts tournaments, including the World Darts Championship, Premier League Darts, World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, European Championship, Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals, in addition to the World Series of Darts Finals.
NENT Group and the PDC will also work together to develop a live darts event in the Netherlands featuring the world’s leading players. More details will be announced soon.
Dutch darts player Michael van Gerwen commented: “There’s so much talent in darts in the Netherlands and it’s great that fans will be able to watch PDC tournaments through Viaplay from early next year. The PDC’s partnership with NENT Group continues to grow and we can all look forward positively to the future with them.”
Peter Nørrelund, NENT Group Chief Sports Officer, added: “We’re coming to the Netherlands to be a streaming leader. That means securing the most relevant local sports rights, in addition to offering great original content. All-time greats such as Michael van Gerwen, the world number one for seven straight years, and Raymond van Barneveld, famed for his five world titles and mid-2000s rivalry with Phil `The Power’ Taylor, have built a huge Dutch darts audience. Alongside Formula 1 and Bundesliga, Viaplay is once again on target with the best premium sports in the Netherlands.”
Barry Hearn OBE, PDC President, commented: “NENT Group are already valued broadcast partners across a number of territories and their expansion into the Netherlands is an exciting time for both them and the PDC. Darts is hugely popular across the Netherlands and this partnership will give fans the chance to continue to enjoy top-class PDC tournaments through Viaplay.”
The deal with Matchroom Sport also secures live coverage of snooker’s Champion of Champions and Championship League events for Viaplay in the Netherlands, along with pool’s World Pool Masters, World Pool Championship, World Cup of Pool, US Open Championship and Mosconi Cup, alongside a comprehensive range of further sports content including table tennis, ten-pin bowling, basketball and netball.