The J. League is set to sign a major broadcasting rights deal worth an annual total of ¥1.1 billion ($10.5 million) with various domestic and overseas firms from next season, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.
The deal, with companies including British sports media company Perform Group Ltd. and Japanese telecommunications company NTT, will double the amount received from the current ¥500 million deal with satellite communication and pay TV company SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. that runs through this season.
A source said NTT, which cooperates with Perform Group, is planning on a new video distribution business for sports, including soccer, for smart phones.
Among the J. League's demands for potential bidders was a minimum commitment of five years and cooperation in introducing Wi-Fi in stadiums.
Live TV coverage will continue on SKY PerfecTV, NHK and TBS. The league reported an operating income of ¥13.3 billion in fiscal 2015.