Champions League games could well be back on free terrestrial television next season, depending on the outcomes of the bidding war for rights to show the world's top club competiton.
For years, only ITV and Sky Sports had the capacity to show Champions League games but BT Sport announced an exclusive £897m three-year deal to show live Champions League and Europa League football matches on their channels back in 2013, in a deal that commenced in the 2015-16 season.
BT have the rights to broadcast any Champions League and Europa League game for the current 2016-17 campaign as well as the 2017-18 season, but will have to fend of competition from other broadcasting companies if they want to retain the rights beyond their existing deal.
Sky Sports want to be the home of Champions League football again and will go head-to-head with BT Sport for the privilege of showing the majority of games, but according to The Telegraph, Channel 4 are interested in a deal whereby they would show around 17 games a season - roughly one game each week of Champions League action, for free in the UK.
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ITV want to reclaim the deal they lost out on when BT splashed the cash for Champions League football a few years back and though they are still able to air highlights shows and give Roy Keane the platform to have a moan on a regular basis, they long for the ability to show live Champions League football again.
Credit: ITV
However, Channel 4 are vying for the deal and they have reportedly already been in contact with BT about an arrangement in which the former would be able to show specific games.
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When BT made their irresistible offer to UEFA and purchased all of the rights to European games, part of the deal was that some games would be shown for free - including the final of the competition. Through the BT Showcase channel, BT have done that but ratings have been a real concern.
The Telegraph reported back in 2014, not long after capturing the rights to top-level games in Europe, BT Sport were in talks with ITV about sharing games but the likelihood of a similar deal happening with ITV and whoever claims the majority rights from 2018 to 2021 would depend on whether they (Sky or BT) would be open to giving away the most attractive fixture in each matchweek.
It's unclear whether Channel 4 would want the same sort of arrangement but they are certainly keen on broadcasting Champions League games - with it acting as a major follow-on from the upcoming European Women's Championship, which will be shown on Channel 4.
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Bidding ends on March 1 and from then on UEFA will assess each offer and make a final decision. Let the games begin.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football, Europa League, Sky Sports, Champions League, ITV, BT Sport