Revealed: Broadcast Giants Set To Do Battle For Exclusive Champions Cup Rights
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Sky and BT will be pitted against each other for the exclusive UK and Irish broadcast rights to European club rugby at next year’s auction, sources say.
The rights to the European Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup were split between the broadcast giants in 2014.
However, senior sources at European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), the body that controls and organises the sport’s European competitions, say that having coverage divided between Sky and BT is “very unsatisfactory”.
They believe the games have not had the desired coverage and support from the broadcasters because of the split coverage and are disappointed with the viewing figures.
As a result, EPCR sources say they want the British and Irish rights to go to a single provider at the next auction.
The new four-year deal starts with the 2018/19 season. The current £24.3million deal was a last-minute comprise, which ended a bitter two year row between the Anglo-French clubs and rugby’s authorities over the structure of the competitions and their TV rights. [Express.co.uk]
