This would be a change.
The Champions League could be returning to terrestrial television, and be on Channel 4 for the first time.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the broadcaster is “exploring the prospect of buying one fixture per matchweek” when the new three-year UK television contract is awarded in March.
The report also claims that Sky Sports and BT Sport will bid for the majority of the rights, with Channel 4 a potential, and unlikely, junior partner in the deal that would see the return of Europe’s top club competition to terrestrial television.
The broadcaster has not covered the sport since their popular Football Italia show ended in 2002.
The Champions League is currently shown by BT Sport in the UK, after they paid almost £900m for the exclusive UK rights from the beginning of last season.
Roy Keane’s employer ITV, which covered the competition from its rebranding in 1992 until last season, and Channel 4 are both said to be interested in sub-letting 17 games per season under the new deal.
UEFA have stipulated that some games under the current package, including the Champions League final, are available free-to-air, after the competition’s ratings declined when moved from terrestrial television.
