TV3 have secured the rights to 327 European matches per season in a new broadcasting deal with UEFA.
The broadcaster won exclusive Irish rights to all Wednesday UEFA Champions League matches, all Thursday UEFA Europa League matches and the Finals of both competitions, while they share the rights to 16 Tuesday night Champions League matches with RTÉ.
RTÉ will have first preference over those Tuesday night games, however, the Champions League will change their group stage format next season with the introduction of 6pm and 8pm games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
The new agreement, which comes into effect in August this year, also includes exclusive rights to all UEFA Champions League final round qualifiers, the Super Cup and all highlights rights to both UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for the next three years.
Pat Kiely, Managing Director of TV3, said of the new deal:
“The UEFA Champions League is the biggest and most prestigious club competition in the world and we are delighted to extend our partnership with UEFA for both the Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
“This landmark deal confirms Virgin Media as Ireland’s leading connected entertainment business and is great news for TV3 viewers and Virgin Media Customers.
“Our award winning Sports Broadcasting team look forward to bringing the biggest clubs and the best players to our viewers and customers in new and exciting ways over the coming European football seasons .”
The new arrangement will see RTE swap from Wednesday nights to Tuesday nights with RTÉ Group Head of Sport Ryle Nugent commenting that the national broadcaster is now competing against major international companies both here and in the UK for the rights to premium sports events.
“This is a truly positive result for RTÉ, the Irish audience and public service broadcasting,” said Nugent.
“The sports rights market continues to evolve and RTÉ is now competing against major international companies both here and in the UK, both free and subscription, for the right to broadcast premium sports events in this country.
“To secure the UEFA Champions League first choice games on Tuesday nights for the next three seasons means that Irish audiences will continue to have free to air access to the world’s leading club competition.
“This success, in conjunction with the rights to broadcast our national team’s UEFA European and World Cup qualifiers for 2020 & 2022, guarantees top class football on RTÉ platforms for the seasons ahead.”
