TV 2 Sport
A Norwegian sports television channel brand operated by TV 2, distributed through multiple pay-TV and terrestrial platforms.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
TV 2 Sport is a Norwegian sports television channel brand belonging to the TV 2 media group. It was launched on 24 March 2007 as a premium sports service distributed through Canal Digital, Get, Lyse and BKK, and later became available through Norway's terrestrial RiksTV network and the Viasat satellite platform. The service was created to give TV 2 a dedicated outlet for live sports and to expand the amount of sports content that could be shown simultaneously across several feeds. Football has been central to the brand's identity. Over time, its programming has included Norwegian top-division football, international club and national-team competitions, UEFA Champions League matches, qualifying matches for major tournaments, the UEFA Nations League, the UEFA Super Cup, the Women's Champions League and selected competitions from outside Europe. The service has also carried Premier League-related programming and other European leagues, although the exact rights portfolio has changed over time. Its football coverage has been complemented by ice hockey, handball and cycling, including Norwegian and Swedish hockey competitions, the Norwegian men's and women's top handball leagues and the Tour de France. In its early form, TV 2 Sport operated as a premium pay-TV channel with additional feeds. The main service was supplemented by TV 2 Sport 2, TV 2 Sport 3, TV 2 Sport 4 and TV 2 Sport 5, allowing several matches to be broadcast at the same time. These extra channels were not universally available on terrestrial distribution. During UEFA Euro 2008, TV 2 also used a dedicated TV 2 Sport UEFA EURO 2008 channel for a portion of the tournament, while other matches were carried on the main TV 2 channel. The service's HD distribution was used for selected major events, including Euro 2008 matches. The brand developed through several naming and packaging changes. In 2012, the principal channel was repositioned and renamed TV 2 Sportskanalen, becoming a 24-hour sports channel rather than a service primarily identified with a bundle of event-specific feeds. Its distribution was upgraded from standard definition to high definition in 2013. In 2018, TV 2 Sportskanalen was renamed TV 2 Sport 2, while the other principal sports channel took the TV 2 Sport 1 name. The current brand architecture therefore uses TV 2 Sport 1 and TV 2 Sport 2 as the core channel identities. TV 2 Sport is best understood as a channel and programming brand rather than an independent company. It operates within TV 2's wider sports business, which acquires rights, produces studio and match coverage, and distributes content through television platforms and related digital services. Its positioning is premium, live-event-focused and competition-led, with particular strength in football and a broader portfolio spanning hockey, handball and cycling. The brand's current market is Norway, and its availability and exact content mix depend on TV 2's rights agreements and distribution arrangements.
History
TV 2 Sport was launched in Norway on 24 March 2007 as a dedicated sports channel associated with the TV 2 broadcasting group. At launch, it was distributed through Canal Digital, Get, Lyse and BKK. The channel was conceived as a premium pay-TV service, allowing TV 2 to place live sports and additional match coverage behind a dedicated subscription offering rather than relying solely on its general-interest TV 2 channel. Distribution expanded during the first years of operation. The service became available through RiksTV's terrestrial platform in the autumn of 2007 and was added to the Viasat satellite platform from 22 March 2009. Its early commercial model emphasized premium access; contemporary information described a relatively high monthly price and a package that could include several simultaneous sports feeds. The additional feeds were identified as TV 2 Sport 2 through TV 2 Sport 5, although they were not available on every platform, particularly terrestrial distribution. The multi-channel arrangement supported major tournament coverage. For UEFA Euro 2008, TV 2 used a dedicated TV 2 Sport UEFA EURO 2008 service for twelve matches, while the main TV 2 channel carried nineteen other matches. The tournament also provided an early high-definition showcase for TV 2 Sport's HD feed, which was available through Get at the time. The brand's football portfolio subsequently included Norwegian top-division football, international club competitions and national-team tournaments. It also carried selected events such as four matches from the 2010 FIFA World Cup. TV 2 expanded its premium sports proposition on 11 June 2010 with TV 2 Sport Premium, previously identified as TV 2 Barclays Premier League HD. The package consisted of two sports channels and was associated with live rights to competitions including the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Scottish Premiership, Allsvenskan and the Swedish Hockey League. This service sat within TV 2's broader sports offering and helped separate premium international rights from the core TV 2 Sport channel identity. A major brand change followed in 2012, when the service was renamed TV 2 Sportskanalen and presented as a 24-hour sports channel. The change marked a shift away from a name primarily associated with a package of simultaneous match feeds toward a continuous sports programming proposition. In 2013, the channel's technical presentation was upgraded from standard definition to high definition. In 2018, TV 2 Sportskanalen was renamed TV 2 Sport 2, while the companion channel became TV 2 Sport 1. The current naming system thus reflects two principal sports channels within TV 2's portfolio. Their programming has covered football, ice hockey, handball and cycling. Listed football properties have included UEFA World Cup qualification, European Championship qualification, the UEFA Nations League, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the UEFA Women's Champions League, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the Africa Cup of Nations, the Premier League and Sweden's Allsvenskan. Other sports have included the Norwegian GET-ligaen, the Swedish Hockey League, Norway's men's and women's REMA 1000-ligaen and the Tour de France. TV 2 Sport is not presented as a separately incorporated broadcaster in the available reference material. It is a channel and sub-brand within TV 2's Norwegian media operation. Its role is to provide a specialized sports destination, combine live-event rights with studio analysis and commentary, and use multiple channels when scheduling requires simultaneous coverage. The precise programming mix and distribution arrangements remain dependent on TV 2's rights contracts and platform agreements.
- 2018
Two-channel naming structure introduced
[1]TV 2 Sportskanalen becomes TV 2 Sport 2, alongside TV 2 Sport 1.
- 2013
HD upgrade
[1]The channel changes its standard-definition presentation to high definition.
- 2012
Rebrand to TV 2 Sportskanalen
[1]The service is repositioned as a 24-hour sports channel under the TV 2 Sportskanalen name.
- 2010
TV 2 Sport Premium launches
[1]TV 2 introduces a two-channel premium sports package built around major domestic and international rights.
- 2009
Viasat satellite availability
[1]TV 2 Sport becomes available on Viasat from 22 March.
- 2008
Euro 2008 multi-channel coverage
[1]TV 2 uses a dedicated TV 2 Sport UEFA EURO 2008 service for part of the tournament and supplies selected matches in high definition.
- 2007
TV 2 Sport launches
[1]The dedicated Norwegian sports channel begins broadcasting on 24 March through Canal Digital, Get, Lyse and BKK.
- 2007
Terrestrial distribution begins
[1]The channel expands to the RiksTV terrestrial platform later in its first year.
Products and positioning
A premium Norwegian sports broadcaster focused on live football and complementary coverage of ice hockey, handball and cycling. The brand combines dedicated sports channels with TV 2's wider television and digital sports operation.
Sports television channel · 2018
TV 2 Sport 1
One of the two principal channels in the current TV 2 Sport naming structure. It carries live sports and related programming within TV 2's Norwegian sports operation, with football forming a major part of the overall brand portfolio.
Sports television channel · 2018
TV 2 Sport 2
The current name of the channel formerly known as TV 2 Sportskanalen. It operates as the second principal TV 2 Sport channel and supports live-event scheduling, sports programming and simultaneous coverage across the brand.
Premium sports television package · 2010
TV 2 Sport Premium
A two-channel premium sports package introduced by TV 2 in 2010. It was associated with live coverage of the Premier League, FA Cup, Scottish Premiership, Allsvenskan and Swedish Hockey League, among other rights.
Brand decisions
2018
Adoption of TV 2 Sport 1 and TV 2 Sport 2 namesGeneration changeBackground
TV 2 maintained two principal sports channels and needed a clearer shared naming structure.
Action taken
TV 2 Sportskanalen was renamed TV 2 Sport 2, while the companion channel became TV 2 Sport 1.
Aftermath
The brand adopted a numbered two-channel architecture that remains the basis of its current identity.
2013
Upgrade to high definitionGeneration changeBackground
High-definition sports coverage had already been used for selected major events, creating a basis for a wider technical upgrade.
Action taken
The channel changed its regular presentation from standard definition to high definition.
Aftermath
TV 2 Sportskanalen became an HD sports channel in its regular service configuration.
2012
Repositioning as TV 2 SportskanalenStrategyBackground
The original service had evolved from a premium channel with multiple additional match feeds into a continuous sports programming outlet.
Action taken
TV 2 renamed the channel TV 2 Sportskanalen and presented it as a 24-hour sports channel.
Aftermath
The new identity emphasized an always-on sports channel rather than only event-based or simultaneous-match distribution.
2010
Introduction of TV 2 Sport PremiumProduct launchBackground
TV 2 expanded its premium sports offer around high-value domestic and international rights.
Action taken
It launched a two-channel package known as TV 2 Sport Premium, previously associated with the TV 2 Barclays Premier League HD name.
Aftermath
The package broadened TV 2's sports-channel architecture and carried several major football and hockey competitions.
2007
Launch of TV 2 SportProduct launchBackground
TV 2 sought a dedicated premium outlet for live sports and simultaneous match coverage.
Action taken
The group launched TV 2 Sport and distributed it through several Norwegian cable, telecommunications and later terrestrial platforms.
Aftermath
The channel developed into a broader multi-channel sports proposition with additional feeds and tournament-specific services.
Sources2 sources
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