BT wins exclusive rights to UEFA tournaments

11th Nov 2013 08:01

- BT to pay 299m pounds each season for the rights- Pledges to make matches more accessible and affordable- Shares in current broadcasters BSkyB and ITV fall sharplyIn a major blow to BSkyB and ITV, telecoms group BT has won the exclusive rights to broadcast live the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for three seasons.From 2015/16, BT will have the UK TV rights to all 350 matches each season after paying £299m each year, an amount which is said it can incur without changing its current financial outlook.This is the first time a single UK broadcaster has won the rights to all matches from both tournaments; Sky and ITV share the rights currently.The company said it has "shaken up" the UK TV market with its BT Sport service, as it pledged to make its new matches "far more accessible and affordable for fans who wish to enjoy all the action". BT said it will show a selection of these new matches for free on BT Sport, even to homes that have not signed up to the channels. This includes the finals of both tournaments, along with a number of top matches from earlier rounds.Chief Executive Gavin Patterson said he is "thrilled" to win the deal which will give a "major boost to BT Sport and given people yet another reason to take our terrific service"."BT Sport has got off to a strong start with customers enjoying what we have to offer. We have attracted millions of customers by giving sport back to the fans, and we can assure people who want to catch all the action, that European football will be far more accessible and affordable with BT."BT was trading 2.07% lower at 364.4p in early trading on Monday despite the announcement of the deal.BSkyB was worse hit, falling 8.28% to 853p, while ITV fell 3.25% to 184.3p.BC