ITV retains UEFA Champions League rights

UK commercial broadcaster ITV has seen off a challenge from the BBC to retain the broadcasting rights to UEFA Champions League matches.

 

The new three-year deal will encompass the 2009-2012 seasons and means that for the next four years from August 2009, ITV will broadcast the first pick of Wednesday night games throughout the tournament, including the final and UEFA Super Cup Final - 18 live games in total - as well as highlights of all games. The deal also adds to the football coverage available on itv.com which, from next season, will also include the FA Cup plus England’s home World Cup qualifiers.

 

“This is good news for ITV’s shareholders, advertisers and of course our viewers,” said Michael Grade, ITV executive chairman. “With Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all through to the quarter final stage this year, British representation in Europe has never been stronger.”

 

“The UEFA Champions League has been a huge success on ITV in recent years, with viewing figures for the 2006/07 season on ITV1 the highest since 2002/03 - helped by consistent British representation in the final stages of the competition including the last three finals.”

 

According to UK press reports, the deal is thought to be worth around £55m per year.

 

Last week, Sky scooped the majority of the TV rights to Champions League football until 2012, after tabling a bid estimated at more than £240m.

 

ITV has held UEFA Champions League rights since the tournament’s inception in 1992.