Viaplay Group, the Sweden-based media and entertainment company, has settled its dispute with TV2 out of court after previously accusing the Norwegian commercial broadcaster of infringing on its rights to English soccer’s top-tier Premier League.
The issue has been ongoing for more than two years between the two parties, and surrounds TV2’s use of Premier League clips.
Viaplay officially filed a claim for damages in September 2022, claiming that while TV2 has rights to air clips of top-flight English matches, this does not apply while the games are ongoing. Viaplay accused TV2 of using clips from selected Premier League matches in its news broadcasts between August 7 and 27 last year.
Viaplay holds exclusive rights to show Premier League games in Norway until 2028.
An initial judgment from the Oslo District Court on February 17 earlier this year was appealed by both parties, and the appeal case was scheduled for tomorrow (November 7).
However, the companies have now agreed a settlement, which means the appeal case will be withdrawn and the judgment from the Oslo District Court will become final.
Both Viaplay and TV2 have refused to share the terms of the settlement.
Peter Nørrelund, Viaplay Group executive vice president and chief sports and business development officer, said: “We are pleased to reach this settlement with TV2. It provides clarity to the market and reflects our position that investments in premium sports content should be properly protected, which benefits all parties and viewers.”
Lene Eltvik Vindfeld, TV2 organisation and communications director, added: “We want to avoid expensive legal proceedings, and we have reached a settlement with Viaplay that we can live with.
“Although we would have liked a lower threshold for news rights, based on industry practice, than the district court established, it is positive to have a legal clarification, so that both those who own rights and those who use clips know what they have to deal with.”
Viaplay Group (then Nordic Entertainment Group) took over the rights in Norway to the Premier League from TV2 through a deal struck in 2020.
The tie-up - which also covers Denmark, Sweden, and Finland - put an end to TV2’s 12-year stint as the rightsholder to the top-tier league in Norway.
