BT "defended its exclusive European club football broadcasting deal from claims it has diminished the prestige of the Champions League," as UEFA prepares for a rights auction that is expected to break the £1B ($1.3B) barrier for the first time, according to Christopher Williams of the London TELEGRAPH. BT Consumer Business CEO John Petter said the governing body was "very happy" with the current three-year contract, under which the company pays £299M ($389M) per season for sole U.K. rights to Champions League and Europa League matches.
The deal, the first Champions League rights contract to award no live matches to a terrestrial broadcaster such as ITV, "is entering its second of three seasons." BT "faced criticism for low viewing figures," which are said to have sparked concerns at UEFA that "a lower profile for its blue-riband event will reduce its value to major sponsors." Petter said that in the past fortnight, UEFA Acting General Secretary Ángel María Villar "had expressed satisfaction with the deal, however." He said, "In the last couple of weeks I’ve heard from the lips of the acting general secretary that they are very happy." BT "is likely to face a challenge in the new auction, which is expected to be completed this year, from its arch-rival Sky." There has been speculation that UEFA "could opt to split the rights again between a pay-TV operator and a terrestrial broadcaster to revive audiences for big matches." Continental clubs "are also pushing for the Champions League to be redesigned to ensure there are more clashes between top teams and more money available outside the Premier League, still by far the richest competition in Europe." Sky "declined to comment" (TELEGRAPH, 8/6).
