Cosmote TV: OTE Group and Deutsche Telekom
Cosmote TV belongs to OTE Group (Organismos Tilepikoinonion Ellados), which is Greece's largest telecommunications company. Deutsche Telekom, the German telecom giant, holds a controlling stake in OTE, making Cosmote TV part of the wider Deutsche Telekom family. This backing gives Cosmote the financial muscle to outbid competitors for premium sports rights in Greece.
Unlike satellite or over-the-air TV services, Cosmote TV delivers its signal as IPTV over OTE's own fiber and VDSL network. This means the service is technically not accessible on the open internet -- you need a Cosmote broadband connection at a Greek address to receive it. The Cosmote TV Go app extends streaming to mobile devices, but only for existing subscribers and only within Greece.
Cosmote Sport 1-9 HD: The Channel Lineup
Cosmote Sport operates 9 dedicated HD sports channels, numbered Cosmote Sport 1 through Cosmote Sport 9. All broadcast in at least 720p, with most content delivered in 1080p. Cosmote Sport 1 serves as the flagship channel, carrying marquee events and select broadcasts in 4K resolution for subscribers with compatible equipment.
On busy fixture nights -- a typical Champions League Tuesday with 8 simultaneous matches -- multiple Cosmote Sport channels run in parallel so every game gets a dedicated feed with its own commentary team. Channels 5-9 are used as overflow during peak scheduling.
Cosmote Sport Broadcasting Rights (2025-2026 Season)
Football
- UEFA Champions League -- exclusive rights in Greece until 2027
- Greek Super League -- shared with Nova Sports
- Bundesliga (German top division)
- Serie A (Italian football)
- French Ligue 1
Tennis & Other Sports
- ATP Tour and WTA Tour tennis events
- UEFA Europa League and Conference League
July 2024: The Nova-Cosmote Channel Sharing Deal
In July 2024, Nova and Cosmote TV reached a landmark agreement to share their sports content with each other's subscribers. Before this deal, Greek sports fans faced a frustrating dilemma: Cosmote held exclusive rights to the Champions League, while Nova held the English Premier League. Watching both required two separate pay-TV subscriptions.
Under the exchange deal, Nova Sports channels became available on the Cosmote TV platform and Cosmote Sport channels became available on Nova. This was the first agreement of its kind in Greek pay-TV history. In practice, a Cosmote subscriber can now watch the Premier League and La Liga through Nova Sports channels, while a Nova subscriber can tune into Champions League and Bundesliga matches on Cosmote Sport.
For IPTV users this deal is mainly symbolic. IPTV subscriptions have always bundled both Cosmote Sport and Nova Sports channels together in a single package, so IPTV subscribers already had what Greek pay-TV took years to negotiate.
Cosmote Sport vs Nova Sports: Who Has What
Greece's two pay-TV platforms split major sports rights between them. Here is a direct comparison of who holds what for the 2025-2026 season:
Cosmote Sport
- Champions League (exclusive)
- Bundesliga
- Serie A
- Ligue 1
- ATP / WTA Tennis
- Super League (shared)
Nova Sports
- Premier League (exclusive)
- La Liga
- EuroLeague Basketball
- Formula 1
- Super League (shared)
Since the July 2024 deal, official subscribers of either platform can add the other's channels. But through IPTV, you get the full catalogue of both Cosmote Sport and Nova Sports without needing to pick a side.
Official Cosmote TV Pricing vs. IPTV
Cosmote TV's official packages are only available to residents of Greece with a fiber or VDSL broadband connection from OTE/Cosmote. A 12 to 24-month contract is required, and the set-top box remains OTE's property. Here is how the pricing compares:
Cosmote TV Official
- Basic entertainment~15/mo
- With sports package~30-45/mo
- Contract length12-24 mo
- RequiresGreek address + OTE line
* IPTV delivered over OTE's private network, not the open internet. Geo-restricted to Greece.
Via IPTV Service
- All 9 Cosmote Sport HDIncluded
- Nova Sports channelsIncluded
- Works outside GreeceYes
- Contract requiredNone
Why Cosmote Sport Does Not Work Outside Greece
Cosmote TV's geo-restriction is not just a software block that can be bypassed with a VPN. The core service runs as managed IPTV delivered through OTE's private fiber and VDSL infrastructure. The signal never touches the public internet. This is fundamentally different from streaming services like Netflix or DAZN that broadcast over the open web.
The Cosmote TV Go App
Cosmote TV Go is a mobile streaming app included with every Cosmote TV subscription. It works on phones and tablets for on-the-go viewing. However, it is strictly geo-fenced to Greek IP addresses. EU portability rules allow temporary use while traveling in Europe, but permanent access from Cyprus or other countries is blocked.
The IPTV Alternative
IPTV services rebroadcast Cosmote Sport channels over the open internet, making them accessible from any country. You do not need a Greek address, an OTE broadband line, or a Cosmote set-top box. Any device with an internet connection -- Smart TV, Android box, Fire Stick, laptop, phone -- can receive the channels.
No Contract Lock-In
Cosmote TV requires a 12 to 24-month commitment with early termination penalties. IPTV subscriptions run month-to-month. Subscribe for the Champions League knockout rounds in February, cancel in June when the season ends -- there is no penalty for stopping.
Stream Quality via IPTV
Cosmote Sport channels via IPTV typically stream at 720p to 1080p resolution, matching the official broadcast quality. Some providers offer select events in 4K when Cosmote Sport 1 broadcasts in 4K. A stable 15-20 Mbps connection is recommended for smooth Full HD viewing.
Watching Cosmote Sport From Cyprus and Beyond
Cyprus is an EU member state, which means EU portability regulations technically allow existing Greek Cosmote subscribers to use the Cosmote TV Go app while temporarily visiting Cyprus. But "temporarily" is the key word -- Cypriot residents cannot sign up for Cosmote TV because the service requires a physical connection to OTE's Greek broadband network.
For the Greek and Cypriot diaspora in the UK, Germany, Australia, the United States, and Canada, there is no official path to a Cosmote TV subscription at all. IPTV is the only practical way to watch Cosmote Sport channels from these locations. The service works over any standard internet connection -- no special hardware or Greek telecom infrastructure required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Cosmote Sport channels exist?
There are 9 Cosmote Sport channels: Cosmote Sport 1 HD through Cosmote Sport 9 HD. Cosmote Sport 1 also broadcasts in 4K for select events like Champions League finals and high-profile Bundesliga matches. All 9 channels are available through IPTV.
Does Cosmote Sport have exclusive Champions League rights in Greece?
Yes. Cosmote Sport holds exclusive Greek broadcasting rights for the UEFA Champions League through the 2026-2027 season. No other Greek broadcaster -- including Nova -- can show Champions League matches independently. This is the single biggest differentiator between Cosmote Sport and Nova Sports.
What changed with the Nova-Cosmote deal in July 2024?
Nova and Cosmote agreed to a mutual channel-sharing arrangement. Subscribers of either platform can now access the other's sports channels as an add-on. Before this, watching both Champions League (Cosmote) and Premier League (Nova) required two separate subscriptions. IPTV users were unaffected because IPTV packages have always included channels from both providers.
Can I subscribe to Cosmote TV from Cyprus?
No. Cosmote TV requires a physical fiber or VDSL connection from OTE's Greek network, plus a Greek residential address. Even the Cosmote TV Go streaming app is geo-restricted to Greek IP addresses (with temporary EU portability exceptions for travelers). Cypriot residents need IPTV to access Cosmote Sport content.
What picture quality do Cosmote Sport channels have via IPTV?
Cosmote Sport channels typically stream at 720p to 1080p through IPTV. Some events broadcast by Cosmote Sport 1 are available in 4K. You need a minimum of 10 Mbps for HD and 20-25 Mbps for reliable Full HD viewing. A wired Ethernet connection is recommended over Wi-Fi for the most stable picture during live sports.
Who owns Cosmote TV?
Cosmote TV is owned by OTE Group (Hellenic Telecommunications Organization), Greece's largest telecom operator. Deutsche Telekom, the German telecommunications conglomerate, holds a controlling stake in OTE. Cosmote TV competes directly with Nova, which is owned by United Group.
Does Cosmote Sport show the Premier League?
No. The English Premier League is exclusive to Nova Sports in Greece. However, since the July 2024 channel exchange deal, Cosmote TV subscribers can add Nova Sports channels to their package. Through IPTV, you receive both Cosmote Sport and Nova Sports channels together, covering Champions League, Bundesliga, and Premier League in a single subscription.
Stream Cosmote Sport From Anywhere
All 9 Cosmote Sport HD channels plus Nova Sports, Greek free-to-air, and 15,000+ international channels. No Greek address required. No contract. Cancel anytime.