RTL to Broadcast First-Ever Free TV MMA Event in Germany on October 18
COLOGNE – RTL will premiere live Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) coverage on free-to-air television in Germany with the broadcast of “Oktagon 78″ from the Lanxess-Arena in Cologne on October 18. The event follows triumphant prior broadcasts on RTL+.
RTL Chief Content Officer Inga Leschek heralded the move as “a clear statement for the future of sport in Germany,” adding, “MMA is pure adrenaline-powerful, direct, spectacular. This spirit fits our live sports DNA.” Leschek previously stated in May, “Mixed Martial Arts is currently going through the ceiling and we consider whether we can get individual final fights in accordance with the youth protection after 11 p.m.”
the broadcast will begin with “Oktagon 78 – The Countdown” at 10:45 p.m., followed by the main event coverage at 11:15 p.m. Featured fighters include Christian Eckerlin, a prominent figure in German MMA, and Frédéric “Neandertaler” Vosgröne.
“For the first time,millions of fans will see Oktagon live on TV,” said Oktagon MMA Co-Founders Pavol Neruda and Ondřej Novotný. “We write history with RTL and bring MMA into the living room of an entire nation.”
Ahead of the live event, RTL+ will release the six-part documentary series “Eckerlin – an MMA family” on October 17. The first three episodes will chronicle the journey of Christian Eckerlin and his family, from sporting challenges in Hamburg to the upcoming event in Cologne.The MMA broadcast will air following the 2nd Bundesliga match between VfL Bochum and Hertha BSC.
