Blavatnik’s Netflix of Sports Is Said to Target Canada Expansion
- Sports platform DAZN already in Germany, Japan and Switzerland
- Company has committed more than $2 billion to sports rights
The push into Canada comes two months after DAZN’s immediate parent, Access unit Perform Group, agreed to market the National Football League’s television rights, including a digital offering known as NFL Game Pass, in 100 countries outside of the U.S, including Canada and Japan.
Photographer: Otto Greule Jr/Getty ImagesBillionaire Len Blavatnik’s year-old quest to build the Netflix of sports will take its first step into North America with the introduction of his DAZN streaming platform in Canada, according to people familiar with the matter.
DAZN, backed by Blavatnik’s Access Industries Holdings LLC, may announce the Canadian expansion this month, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private plans. The London-based company has been competing with established broadcasters to buy premium sports rights in countries including Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where it has operated since August 2016. In Japan it paid 210 billion yen ($1.9 billion) for a 10-year deal to show J.League soccer.