BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – The Federal Association of Consumer Centers (vzbv) wants to take class action against the sharply increased subscription costs of the Internet sports broadcaster DAZN. “The hefty price increases” at DAZN are not only annoying for sports fans, but also legally not permissible without their consent, according to a vzbv statement on Tuesday.
According to the Federal Association, the price increase clause in the contracts of existing customers is “non-transparent” and “therefore ineffective”. Now the vzbv is looking for DAZN customers who are affected by the price increase during an ongoing contract. The lawsuit aims to get those affected their money back.
The streaming service DAZN announced on request that it had already received a letter from vzbv in May last year. “We took the points raised in it very seriously and immediately sought legal advice from a leading international law firm.” The issues are complex and technical. “DAZN remains convinced that its terms and conditions are in line with applicable law.”
The streaming service, which has been active in Germany since 2016, has increased its prices several times, most recently in the summer of 2022 for existing customers. The costs for a monthly subscription had practically doubled and had risen from 14.99 to 29.99 euros. The cheapest DAZN subscription costs EUR 24.99 per month with a one-year contract. The streaming service’s offerings include games in the Bundesliga and almost all games in the Champions League./kge/DP/jha