ITV Retains Champions League Rights

ITV has retained the rights to broadcast the UEFA Champion League matches under a new deal covering the 2003 to 2006 seasons.

The decision follows speculation that the BBC was planning to screen sponsors’ logos in an attempt to strengthen its bid to secure the rights to the matches, a rumour that the BBC has subsequently denied.

Both the BBC and BSkyB were keen to prise the rights away from ITV (see BBC And BSkyB Set To Bid For Champions League Rights) and BSkyB has successfully secured the rights to broadcast the Wednesday matches. Both BSkyB and ITV will screen the live final.

ITV’s controller of sport, Brian Barwick, said: “To have exclusive terrestrial rights to the world’s premier club competition for another three years underlines ITV’s continuing commitment to sport. This is a terrific boost for ITV1, and for ITV2 which will show live Tuesday evening Champion League action throughout the competition.”

The announcement has scuppered the BBC’s plans to strengthen its sports coverage and speculation suggests the decision was linked to concerns that the Corporation would not be able to ensure adequate levels of exposure for advertisers, due to its charter which expressly forbids endorsements.

Last week ITV2 gained the biggest non-terrestrial football audience of the season for the Manchester United versus Maccabi Haifa game (see ITV2 Scores With Manchester United Coverage).

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com

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