The National League are in a groundbreaking deal with broadcast giants DAZN as they wave goodbye to TNT Sports ahead of the 2024/25 season.
For the last few weeks, fans have been left confused as to whether the fifth tier would be shown on television with no announcement made as to which matches have been picked.
But now in a surprise announcement on Sunday (28th July), the National League announce a new long-term partnership with DAZN, and you can find out more on this below…
The National League are delighted to announce a new long-term partnership with @dazngroup, Europe’s largest sports broadcaster.#TheVanarama
— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) July 28, 2024
STATEMENT:
The National League are delighted to announce a new long-term partnership with DAZN, Europe’s largest sports broadcaster.
The seven-year agreement will begin in August, showcasing the competition across more than 200 countries globally and bringing with it a whole new audience.
The arrangement with the British company will include both broadcast and streaming rights across the DAZN network around the world for the benefit of all 72 member clubs.
The agreement with DAZN will run until 2031 and will enable National League matches to be accessed across all platforms including desktop, smart TVs, IOS, Android, SKY Q, Virgin Media, Apple.tv, Amazon Firestick and even games consoles.
General Manager Mark Ives says: “We are incredibly excited about this groundbreaking long-term joint venture with DAZN, one of the biggest players in sports broadcasting and the deal demonstrates the continuing growth and reach of the National League.
“The global exposure DAZN will bring the League and our clubs cannot be overstated. DAZN will be using their vast expertise in sports broadcasting and streaming to allow fans in both the UK and internationally to access live matches across all connected devices like never before.
“We look forward to working very closely with them to enhances the viewing experience for all fans that can’t be at the stadium, which we believe is to the full benefit of our clubs and their supporters.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank TNT Sports for the wonderful coverage and support they have provided.”
DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev offered some more insight into what we can expect.
He said: “DAZN’s technology makes us uniquely placed to create destinations for sports fans, and this multi-year partnership will allow us to create a global home for the National League, helping fans better access the teams they are so passionate about, while creating engagement opportunities to access new audiences.
“This is the latest in a series of channel deals which leverage DAZN’s scale and industry-leading tech stack to revolutionise the way rights holders increase exposure to domestic and international audiences and develop their sport digitally and commercially.”
The National League begin their seven-year partnership with DAZN, a global sports entertainment platform from the 1st of August 2024 and will see the broadcaster take over the rights for the National League, which includes both traditional broadcast and streaming across their platform in the UK and globally.
DAZN are hoping to help the National League grow its reach both in the UK and internationally. With over 20 million paid subscribers globally, DAZN is the world’s leading sports broadcaster with premium sports rights across more than 200 territories.
This includes domestic ubiquity in countries like Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Brazil, Japan, France, Portugal, Belgium, and Taiwan, as well as significant domestic presence in the UK, US, and Canada.
National League matches on DAZN can be streamed across most connected devices, including Samsung, LG, Sony, and Panasonic Smart TVs, as well as games consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, and other platforms like SKY devices, Virgin Media, Apple.tv, Amazon Firestick, and more. This will allow fans to access National League games on a variety of devices, making it easier for them to follow their favourite teams.
This partnership is a significant development for the National League as it seeks to maximise its reach and grow its fan base both domestically and internationally. It represents a major step forward for the league and its clubs, providing them with a platform to showcase their games to a wider audience.
This is how fans reacted to the National League being in a groundbreaking deal with broadcast giants DAZN as they wave goodbye to TNT Sports…
@m4tt: National League matches are going to DAZN for the next *seven* years. No more TNT. If I’m correct, I believe DAZN already has a free channel on Virgin Media, with the cost being absorbed by the company if you have an existing sports package. Not sure about Sky.
@MadeInTheManor_: This is brilliant for non-league football.
@jtwHCAFC: Dazn dipping into the English market
@BookerDeWitty: Great bet that won’t be cheap. 😑
@MarkHunt271278: Least the quality will be good watching it on dazn
@james_harpin: If they/you think anyone is paying ANOTHER £14.99 a month to watch National League games you’re on another planet. No one is cancelling TNT either just to switch over.
@achesterfan: Doesn’t say what qty of matches will be shown, it how it will benefit member clubs. What’s the value and split? I can hazard a guess, approx 70% National league (with a bias towards clubs who’s directors sit in the NL board?) then 15% to the other 2 divisions?
@JWeisgard: Can’t see many people shelling out on another subscription for Vanarama….
@StephenRushton2: It’s replacing BT/TNT so just means switching subscription and at £14.99 / month it’s cheaper
@Jon_Chalk1: You laughably assume many people will swap live PL & CL football on TNT for Vanarama on Dazn. Only the most diehard non league fans will do so.
@JWeisgard: Like many, I have TNT for Premier League and Champs League. Won’t he cancelling it / switching to DAZN – So won’t be able to enjoy Vanarama.
@G_TUFC: Hopefully you will actually include NLS/NLN rather than the odd game.
@Ben_H90: I hope this works and benefits the NL, but to put this on a separate streaming platform that not many people have due to limited content is a big risk and likely decrease viewings figures in the UK. However, it will be intriguing how they market this in international markets.
@HonestFootball3: That’s now 5 different paid subscriptions you’ll need to cover all UK men’s football? This is getting silly!
@smivadee: Hopefully this benefits the 72 member clubs! Long term it could blur the lines even more between the EFL and what we still call “Non League”
@NickyHanshaw: This’ll be the start of all games going Streaming services this is the experiment. Sky & TNT will have one more big deal after that then they are likely finished. Once Amazon Apple etc get properly involved.
@ycfc_connor: New deal / new streaming service yet the same treatment of fans – *pretends to be shocked*
@TheSilkmenNews: Don’t like the sound of this – will require yet another subscription to a channel who currently only has a hardcore audience. Announcement light on real details – no. of games & NLN / NLS coverage split. Fear Steps 1 & 2 will disappear from view under this TV deal.
@TrevorOakley1: It’s a shame the National League isn’t on TNT now. Used to enjoy the games when I saw them although not enough to stretch to yet another subscription.
@Jasonsnell17: So that’s another subscription tv football fans will have to fork out for, And another one in which football is ripping off its fans 🤬
@DaveStacey47344: Yer another subscription for people to fork out for 👍
@foreverayellow: fans expected to pay for another subscription, echo what everyone else here has said, getting silly now
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