Channel Five Scores Exclusive TV Rights Deal For UEFA Cup

Exclusive Three-Year Deal Gives Channel Five First Pick Of UEFA Cup Matches

The U.K.'s Channel Five has signed an exclusive three-year deal with UEFA, giving the network "first pick of all UEFA Cup matches," as well as rights to the Finals, effective for the '09-2010 season, according to Ben Dowell of the Manchester GUARDIAN. As part of the deal, ITV, which currently holds rights to the Finals as well as the option to show all quarterfinal and semifinal games, will receive "second pick of seven games, five so-called third picks and three fourth picks throughout the tournament." This deal marks the first time the TV rights for the Cup "from the group stage onwards have been sold collectively rather than by individual clubs involved." Channel Five negotiated the deal with sports marketing agency Team, which is distributing the TV rights on behalf of UEFA (Manchester GUARDIAN, 6/4). Setanta also will air 33 games per season, including "17 from the UEFA Cup group states, six from the rounds of 32 and 16, two quarter-finals and one semi-final." About 18 games will feature English teams, with the others "featuring other teams within the competition" (FORBES.com, 6/5).

EURO 2008: ESPN Saturday will launch the ESPN HD Radio network to coincide with the start of the Euro 2008 tournament. Subscribing radio stations will be able to customize and program their own ESPN HD Radio stations. The station's coverage debuts Saturday with a live broadcast of the Czech Republic-Switzerland game. Euro 2008 will be held June 7-29 in Austria and Switzerland (ESPN).