3 Aug 2009ESPN to broadcast Bundesliga in Great Britain and Ireland

Football Sponsors/ Sponsorship and Media

UK fans looking to watch games from the German Bundesliga in the upcoming seasons will be able to do so thanks to a television rights package gained by ESPN.

The Disney-owned broadcaster has already taken over the media rights to the two English Premier League packages previously owned by Setanta for the 2009/10 campaign.

Now it has added to its offerings by acquiring the rights to show up to five live games from Germany's top league for the next three seasons in Great Britain and Ireland.

The package also consists of ESPN showing a highlights programme for the remaining Bundesliga fixtures, with the deal commencing from the 2009/10 campaign.

Jorg Daubitzer, general manager of the DFL Sports Enterprises division, said after registering his delight of the deal: "The Bundesliga therefore expands its presence in the motherland of football."

Defending champions Wolfsburg will get the upcoming season underway when they host Stuttgart on August 7th.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have been crowned champions on the most occasions, having won the title 20 times, including at the end of the 2007/08 campaign.

Written by Mark Thompson

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