Belgian Football Fans Face Streaming-Only Access to Jupiler Pro League
Belgian football fans may soon find themselves unable to watch Jupiler Pro League (JPL) matches on traditional TV, as streaming service DAZN has concluded negotiations with major telecom providers Telenet and Proximus. Consequently, matches may only be available through the DAZN app when the new season begins on July 25, reports 24brussels.
DAZN secured broadcasting rights to Belgian professional football until 2030 and had been in discussions to sublicense these rights to local operators. During past seasons, matches were available on traditional television platforms including Telenet, Proximus, Orange, and VOO. However, negotiations this time fell through.
Both Telenet and Proximus deemed DAZN’s pricing expectations too steep, especially amid ongoing pressures to cut costs and a notable shift in viewer preferences. Many customers are abandoning conventional TV packages in favor of streaming services.
Despite the definitive statement from DAZN, the situation is not conclusively settled. Sources within the industry suggest that a last-minute agreement could still be reached. DAZN has indicated that it remains open to further discussions but plans to proceed with a streaming-only model for the time being.
Consequently, viewers will experience an absence of JPL matches on standard TV. All live matches, highlights, and replays will now solely be accessible via the DAZN app, which requires a subscription. The app can be used on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, laptops, and other streaming devices like Chromecast and Apple TV.
Currently, there is no agreement in place with broadcasters VRT or VTM to air match footage or highlights in their news segments, meaning that coverage outside of DAZN will be restricted to live text updates and radio or TV commentary.
