European clubs as Uefa looks to streaming services
Europe’s top clubs could cash in on streaming rights as UEFA looks to raise more than £4bn a year from its next TV deals.
Officials from the governing body believe the next broadcast rights sale for Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League games could bring in at least €5bn (£4.3bn) annually.
Existing rights sold in 2024 are worth around £2.9bn a year and new deals will come into force from 2027.
The rights are expected to be tendered this month and will likely involve a six-year commitment – double the current length.
One game per first point per round could be featured via a streaming service like Amazon, Disney or Netflix, but it’s unclear how long into the contest this will take place.
Publishers will be able to bid for rights in multiple markets – the UK, Spain, France, Italy and Germany are the top five for now.
Champions League clubs currently earn almost 75% of the revenue from UEFA rights sales, with 17% going to Europa League clubs and 8% to conference league sides.
Live European Games with a highlight show on BBC One with BBC Sport Rights for TNT and Amazon Prime Show, BBC Sport Online.
The 36 club league format for all three competitions introduced last season remains unchanged.
Without directly mentioning future broadcast deals, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin addressed clubs at the General Assembly of European Football Clubs in Rome on Wednesday.
Ceferin said: “Together we are building something unique, with ambition to deliver the most engaging football that is the most innovative and accessible to expand our core revenue streams.
“[We want] Inspiring new fans to follow our competitions, engage with new audiences, especially in an ever-changing media, and broadcast the right landscape and make the most of digital platforms and bring the game together forever.
“We will keep European football at the top.”
