DFB vs KfW

DFB.TV now available via MagentaTV

DFB.TV, the pay-TV channel launched a few months ago by the German Football Association (DFB) and Sportainment Media Group, is expanding its distribution. As of now, the channel is also available on Deutsche Telekom's MagentaTV platform, becoming part of MagentaSport and the Family or Big TV packages. The companies also plan to cooperate in advertising sales, intending to offer agencies and advertisers modern Dynamic Ad Substitution for more efficient targeting. DFB.TV broadcasts content around the men's national team, junior national teams, women's 2nd Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. The channel is already available on platforms such as DAZN, HD+, Sky, Vodafone, and Zattoo. This partnership significantly expands DFB.TV's reach.

• DFB.TV is now available on Deutsche Telekom's MagentaTV platform.
• MagentaTV integration includes MagentaSport and Family/Big TV packages.
• DFB.TV and Telekom plan cooperation in advertising sales using Dynamic Ad Substitution.

DFB Extends 3. Liga Broadcast Rights with Telekom to 2031

Deutsche Telekom secures exclusive broadcast rights for Germany's 3. Liga from 2027/28 to 2031, including all 380 matches and relegation playoffs. The deal, worth €124 million over four years, represents a 20% revenue increase for the DFB. Telekom retains free-TV rights for 38 matches per season, with a decision pending on whether to sublicense them to ARD. The agreement also expands digital and social media usage rights for highlights. ARD secured a separate highlights package, while DAZN will cover all matches with clips. New partners 'Kicker' and 'Leagues' acquired digital short-form and clip rights. The extension coincides with MagentaSport's tenth year covering the league, during which TV reach has grown sevenfold, though not independently verified. Telekom aims to leverage the league to enhance its football strategy and reach broader audiences via MagentaTV and freemium offerings.

• Deutsche Telekom secures exclusive 3. Liga broadcast rights from 2027/28 to 2031.
• The deal is worth €124 million over four years, a 20% increase in revenue for the DFB.
• Telekom retains free-TV rights for 38 matches per season, with potential sublicensing to ARD.

Women's football internationals stay with ARD and ZDF until 2031

The German women's national football team's international matches will continue to be broadcast by public broadcasters ARD and ZDF through 2031. SportA, the joint sports rights agency of ARD and ZDF, has extended its exclusive media rights agreement with the German Football Association (DFB). The rights cover all Nations League games, European Championship 2029 qualifiers, and World Cup 2031 preparatory matches. The rights include live and post-event usage across all platforms, including broadcast, online, and audio. The next matches include Germany vs. Australia on October 9, 2026 (ZDF) and Germany vs. Japan on October 13, 2026 (ARD). This deal underscores the public broadcasters' commitment to women's football in Germany.

• SportA extends exclusive media rights for all DFB women's international matches until 2031
• The rights cover all Nations League games, European Championship 2029 qualifiers, and World Cup 2031 preparatory matches
• ARD and ZDF will broadcast all matches live and on-demand across all platforms

German VC Market Sees Strongest Quarter Since 2021

According to KfW Research, German startups received over €4.5 billion in venture capital in Q3 2026, the highest quarterly volume since Q4 2021. This represents a near quadrupling compared to Q3 2025. The surge is driven by a few mega-rounds, with six deals exceeding €100 million each accounting for over €3.5 billion, and a boom in AI investments, which attracted €3.1 billion (69% of the total). However, the number of deals (≥€1M) fell to 89 in Q3, one of the lowest in recent years, indicating a concentration of capital in fewer, high-performing startups. In the first nine months, €9.5 billion was invested, surpassing the totals for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Germany now counts 43 unicorns. KfW expects continued concentration on large financing rounds.

• German startups received over €4.5 billion in VC funding in Q3 2026, the highest quarterly amount since Q4 2021.
• AI startups attracted €3.1 billion (69% of total VC) across 61 rounds in Q3 2026.
• Six mega-rounds (>€100M each) accounted for over €3.5 billion, representing more than 75% of the quarterly volume.

KfW Newsroom: Neue Pressemitteilungen und Video-Update

Neue Pressemitteilungen: 'Effizienzhaus 55-Förderung zeigt Wirkung: 50.000 Wohneinheiten gefördert' (30.09.2026), 'KfW-ifo-Mittelstandsbarometer: September 2026' (29.09.2026), 'Externe Prüfung bescheinigt DEG sehr gutes Impact Management' (29.09.2026). Zudem neues Video 'Die Zukunft ist unbemannt' über das Programm 'Scale-up Direct' des Deutschlandfonds.

Everphone secures €15 million refinancing for device leasing

Berlin-based Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) provider Everphone secured €15 million in refinancing from Commerzbank and KfW to finance new workplace devices for corporate clients under long-term leases. The financing follows a €270 million Series D in 2024 and is part of a strategy to improve unit economics by reducing financing costs. The new structure lowers the interest margin by 20 basis points, enabling larger purchase volumes at lower unit costs. Everphone serves over 1,000 organizations, including DAX-listed companies, and offers managed services like MDM and mobile threat defense. This deal highlights the growing trend of device-as-a-service models in Europe, with similar financings for Raylo and equipal in 2026.

• Everphone secured €15 million in refinancing from Commerzbank and KfW.
• The financing is intended to finance new workplace devices for corporate customers under long-term leases.
• The new structure reduces the interest margin by 20 basis points compared to previous financing.