German free-to-air commercial network ProSiebenSat.1 and sports streaming platform Dyn Media have secured domestic rights to major International Handball Federation (IHF) tournaments from 2026 through 2031.
ProSiebenSat.1 has landed exclusive free-to-air (FTA) rights, while Dyn has picked up the exclusive pay-TV package.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The deals were brokered by Sportfive on behalf of the IHF, with the sports marketing agency claiming that the multi-platform approach will "significantly enhance handball's reach and commercial value."
ProSiebenSat.1's deal covers all German national team matches at the 2027, 2029, and 2031 men’s and women’s World Championships, and up to eight additional matches per tournament without German participation, including the final, one of the semi-finals, and one quarter-final.
The country's matches will be shown on ProSieben and the flagship Sat.1 channel, as well as streaming service Joyn.
Germany will stage the men’s tournament alone in 2027 and co-host with France in 2029.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataProSiebenSat.1's FTA package additionally includes Olympic qualification tournaments for the Los Angeles 2028 games (men and women), and men’s U21 World Championships (2027, 2029, and 2031).
Meanwwhile, Dyn has snapped up a comprehensive pay-TV package, which includes live coverage of every match from the World Championships, Olympic Qualifiers, at least all Germany matches from the men's and women's youth and junior World Championships, and all Germany games from the men's and women's Beach Handball World Championships in 2026, 2028, and 2030.
Robert Müller von Vultejus, chief growth officer at Sportfive, said: “This partnership is a testament to the power of strategic media rights expertise and collaboration. We are proud to have facilitated this game-changing agreement on behalf of the IHF.
“By bringing together the complementary strengths of ProSiebenSat.1 and Dyn Media, we’re not just delivering world-class handball to more fans, we’re helping redefine its place in the broader sports and entertainment landscape.”
ProSiebenSat.1 and Dyn will take over from ARD and ZDF, Germany's two prominent public service broadcasters, whose deal with Sportfive for the World Championships expires this year.
In 2018, SportA, the rights-buying agency for the broadcasters, secured rights to the men’s tournament for the 2019-25 cycle.
The IHF deal strengthens Dyn’s handball portfolio as it also shows Germany’s Handball Bundesliga, Women's Handball Bundesliga, 2. Handball Bundesliga, the DHB Cup, the Handball Super Cup, the EHF Champions League, Women's EHF Champions League, and the men's and women's EHF European League.
Andreas Heyden, CEO of Dyn Media, said: “The long-term rights package until 2031 is a strong sign of the continuity and substance of our strategy. It is a central pillar for our continued growth path and a vote of confidence from the IHF in our offering.
“Our goal remains clear: We want to permanently raise the visibility and appreciation of handball and many other sports to a new level – for fans, partners, and the sport as a whole.”
