ITV, Sky agree new UEFA deal

ITV and Sky Sports have agreed a new three-year deal with UEFA for the rights for the Champions League 2012-15 seasons.

ITV will broadcast the first pick of Tuesday live Champions League matches from each stage of the competition. 18 games in total per season.

Sky will show all matches on Tuesday and Wednesday night, except for the ITV pick.

Both channels will show live coverage of one game from each Semi-Final.

The UEFA Champions League Final and UEFA Super Cup will be shown on both channels.

ITV controller of sport Niall Sloane said: “The UEFA Champions League continues to set the benchmark for sports competitions across the world and has been a hugely successful part of the ITV1 schedule over many years.

“We’re delighted to be extending this long relationship and to have agreed a new deal in which ITV1 will continue to broadcast the competition free-to-air, and ITV will also have increased opportunities to bring the Champions League to viewers across our online and on-demand platforms.”

Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, added: “Sky Sports offers the most comprehensive coverage of the UEFA Champions League.

“We will show up to 15 live matches a week, with a choice of live matches, and a full round up of all the week’s action on Wednesday nights.

“Our interactive service has been used for several seasons to offer a menu of live games; it has worked superbly and given viewers choice and real depth of coverage.

“We introduced the exceptional quality of HD, then increased the number of live matches and have now pioneered 3D broadcasts. The UEFA Champions League goes from strength to strength and we look forward to extending our relationship with UEFA.”