Together with Springer
Ex-Bundesliga boss founds streaming service
1/31/2022 3:17 p.m
Christian Seifert will be the Managing Director of the German Football League (DFL) until the end of 2021. After his retirement, it’s less than a month before he’s back on the scene. Together with the Axel Springer media group, he is developing a sports streaming service. It shouldn’t be about football.
The media group Axel Springer and the ex-managing director of the German Football League, Christian Seifert, are jointly developing a streaming platform for league competitions and outstanding individual sport events outside of football. The launch of the platform is planned for autumn 2023, the media company announced. It should be tailored to the German market. The aim of the joint venture is to create a new media home for millions of German sports fans who are enthusiastic about leagues and sports beyond football. The perception of sports such as handball, basketball and ice hockey should also be increased.
The name of the platform has not yet been announced. The founder of the startup based in Cologne is Seifert, as it was also said. The media group Axel Springer, which owns the journalistic brands “Bild” and “Welt”, has acquired a majority stake in the new company. Seifert continues to hold a significant stake and acts as managing partner. There should be more top positions.
According to the announcement, Seifert said: “Germany is a sports-loving nation in which millions of fans are also interested in sports other than football.” Cooperation offers will be made to numerous leagues and associations. The CEO of Axel Springer, Mathias Döpfner, said: “Sport is part of Axel Springer. And in this area we have stated that we want to continue to invest and grow.”
Most recently, the DAZN streaming service caused great dissatisfaction with German sports and football fans by doubling its prices. The Bundesliga rights holder, who also broadcasts almost all UEFA Champions League games and also holds numerous rights to other sports, is charging new customers EUR 29.99 for a monthly subscription and EUR 274.99 for an annual subscription from February 1st. Prices for existing customers will remain stable until July 31, 2022.