A10046211210769125A - Germany to stay on free-to-air tv
Germany international matches will remain on free-to-air television in the country after a new deal was agreed on Wednesday.
State television stations ARD and ZDF have extended their deal with the German Football Association (DFB) to provide comprehensive coverage of the national team until 2012.
"We feel well covered by ARD and ZDF and are happy to comply with the state laws ensuring international matches are screened on free-to-air television," said DFB President Dr Theo Zwanziger.
"Since the ARD and ZDF already have the rights for the 2014 World Cup and 2011 Women's World Cup, it makes sense to reach this agreement."
The DFB has agreed a separate deal with pay-TV station Premiere to screen all 63 matches in the DFB-Pokal from next season.
This is in addition to the deal with ARD and ZDF, who already screen two matches from each round live.
"Pay TV is a welcome addition to what free TV already offers," explained DFB general secretary Wolfgang Niersbach.
"This is an immense enhancement to what is already a very attractive DFB-Pokal and means an improvement to all clubs involved from the first round to the final."