Sky wins rights to majority of Champions League games in UK
18-03-2008
BSkyB has been awarded broadcasting rights to the majority of Champions League games in Britain by Uefa.
The three-year deal, which begins in the 2009-10 season, will see Sky Sports monopolise live coverage of Champions League fixtures on Tuesdays.
The satellite broadcaster will also show all but one match on Wednesdays for a total of 15 live games per Champions League match week.
Vic Wakeling, managing director of Sky Sports, said the new deal would see "an even better service" delivered to viewers.
"Sky Sports will be able to give our viewers more live matches and more of the giants of European football," he explained.
BSkyB has also been awarded cross-platform rights for mobile, broadband and Champions League highlights, as well as exclusive coverage of one leg from each semi-final and shared coverage of the final.
Uefa said BSkyB was the "clear winner" after a first round of bidding for rights.
Its general secretary David Taylor said: "Uefa is absolutely delighted to renew its partnership with BSkyB in the United Kingdom.
"The level of their commitment confirms the strength of broadcaster interest in the Uefa Champions League as the world's top club football competition."
The remaining rights are now set to go to a second round of bidding, with both the BBC and ITV said to be interested in securing the first-choice live game on Wednesdays.