• Premier Sports channels to relaunch early next year along with new streaming service
• Network holds UK rights to LaLiga, URC and NHL, as well as international soccer featuring home nations

Premier Sports has agreed a deal to buy back its UK business from Viaplay, having sold its network of sports channels to the Nordic streaming company last year.

Viaplay acquired Premier Sports in 2022, taking on the pay-TV broadcaster’s sports rights contracts and channels as part of its expansion into the UK market. The initial deal saw the network valued at UK£30 million (US$37.96 million) on a cash and debt-free basis.

The purchase made Viaplay the UK broadcaster for properties such as LaLiga, the United Rugby Championship (URC), and Scottish soccer’s domestic cup competitions, adding to a portfolio in the market that also included the National Hockey League (NHL) and international soccer games featuring Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

But several months ago, the streamer confirmed it would be exiting the UK to focus on its core businesses in the Nordics and the Netherlands. It has struggled with the costs of its expansion, while it has also been faced with subscriber churn and lower advertising revenue, resulting in both a change of leadership and a restructure.

The company said last month that it was in talks to sell some of its non-core international operations. This may have included Premier Sports, whose two channels will return in the new year, should the deal gain competition approval.

In the meantime, Premier Sports content will continue to be delivered via Sky and Virgin, as well as Prime, while the company is also planning to roll out its own streaming service in early 2024.