Last week, we learned that the European governing body for soccer, UEFA had decided to return to Fox after two rounds of bidding that failed to draw it’s desired price.
Today, Fox has made it official that it has renewed its rights deal with UEFA for the Champions and Europa Leagues through the 2017-18 season. The new contract takes effect with the 2015-16 campaign.
Through the new contract, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Sports Net, Fox Soccer Plus and Fox Deportes remain the home of both the Champions and Europa Leagues carrying live matches. Fox will carry the final as it has with this current contract.
Fox Sports has been the home of the Champions League since 2009 and the Europa League since 2012.
Here’s the press release.
FOX SPORTS RENEWS EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE & UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE THROUGH 2017/18 SEASON
Europe’s Storied Club Soccer Competitions Continue on FOX Sports & FOX Deportes Platforms
Los Angeles – FOX Sports today announced that it has renewed its exclusive media rights in the United States and Caribbean to the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, two of the world’s most prestigious soccer competitions, for three additional seasons from 2015/16 through 2017/18. FOX Sports has been the English and Spanish language rights holder in the U.S. and Caribbean for the Champions League since the 2009/10 season and Europa League since 2012/13.
The agreement with UEFA – the governing body of soccer in Europe – ensures comprehensive coverage of both tournaments on multiple channels and platforms including FOX Sports, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports Regional Networks and FOX Soccer Plus, as well as online via FOXSports.com and on mobile devices through the FOX Sports GO app. FOX Sports is currently in the second of a three-season partnership with UEFA for both competitions that extends through 2014/15, delivering for the first time ever all 146 UEFA Champions League matches from the Play-Off Round onward to U.S. viewers.
“We are elated to continue our partnership with UEFA and serve as home of its flagship properties through at least 2018,” said David Nathanson, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. “The combination of UEFA Champions and Europa leagues provides viewers with the complete club competition experience at the highest level. The fact that all the leading European teams and players continue to be seen on one destination speaks to FOX Sports’ commitment to showcase the world’s best. No other sports television franchise has an elite international soccer schedule that even comes close.”
In total, FOX Sports plans to carry 146 UEFA Champions League games annually throughout the term of the agreement on FOX; FOX Sports 1, America’s new national sports network; FOX Sports 2; FOX Soccer Plus; and FOX Sports Regional Networks on a live and delayed basis. FOX Sports also provides a robust offering on its authenticated/premium broadband platforms FOX Sports GO and FOXSoccer2GO including all matches carried live and on-demand. Digital highlight clips also continue to be exclusive to FOXSports.com and FOXSoccer.com. FOX Deportes, the nation’s leading Spanish-language sports brand, carries 122 matches live and on-delay, featuring 10 matches weekly.
FOX Sports continues its commitment to televising the UEFA Champions League Final live to over 114 million broadcast television households nationwide on FOX, its U.S. home since 2010. The most-watched soccer match ever on FOX is the 2011 Champions League Final between Barcelona and Manchester United (2.6 million), which is also the most-watched UEFA match ever in the U.S.UEFA Europa League is an annual competition that has been organized by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European clubs, and has committed to carry 205 matches across multiple FOX networks. The title has been won by 27 different clubs, 12 of which have won multiple titles. Juventus, Inter Milan and Liverpool have been the most successful with three titles apiece. Chelsea of England is the current champion after beating Portuguese side Benfica in the 2013 final.
FOX Sports 1 is slated to carry two live UEFA Europa League matches per week, while FOX Sports 2 televises two live matches and encores of the FOX Sports 1 matches. FOX Soccer Plus also offers two live matches weekly, along with encores of the matches airing on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. All matches air live on the FOX Sports GO mobile app. The match last May between Benfica and Chelsea is the most-watched UEFA Europa League contest in the U.S. on cable.
That will do it.
