Amazon set to seal £1.5BILLION deal to share TV rights with BT Sport to show Champions League games in UK
AMAZON are set to secure a joint deal with BT Sport to air Champions League matches between 2024-27, according to reports.
It is the first time Amazon Prime Video will broadcast European games in the UK having previously aired two rounds of Premier League fixtures every year since 2019.
But they have been given the opportunity to expand to the Champions League due to Uefa getting rid of their exclusivity model.
BT Sport have been the competition’s sole UK broadcaster since 2015 and paid £1.2billion for the rights to air the competition between 2022-2024.
According to the Daily Mail the latest package is worth £1.5bn with BT Sport and Amazon sharing the rights.
It is believed Amazon Prime Video are attracted by the chance of enhancing their sport coverage with the Champions League set to expand from 2024.
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Under the new system the number of clubs taking part will be raised to 36 with each team playing eight matches in the group stages.
That means several more games available for broadcast, with 32 teams taking part in the group stages prior to the change.
The number of overall matches will increase from 125 games to 189.
Amazon have previously broadcast Champions League games in Germany but the latest step provides a financial boost to Premier League sides playing in Europe’s premier competition.
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Premier League clubs will also be encouraged by Amazon’s expansion as it could hint at future bids for more Premier League coverage.
That could mean Amazon Prime Video rival Sky Sports an BT Sport for more coverage, increasing the price paid by the highest bidder.