Canal+ acquires exclusive Premier League rights

French premium broadcaster Canal+ has acquired exclusive rights to the Premier League, the top English soccer division.

The three-season deal kicks in later this year and give the French pay TV company rights to all televised games from the English league.

Canal+ already has rights to the top French league, Ligue 1 as well as to the Champions League competition.

Separately, sports rights firm MP & Silva has wrested pan-Middle Eastern Premier League rights from Abu Dhabi Media. The latter had previously paid about US$300 million for the rights.

Financial terms of the French and Middle Eastern deals were not disclosed.