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ESPN, ITV acquire Europa League rights

Wednesday 2 September 2009
Marketing
ITV and ESPN will show live UEFA Europa League games this season in the UKITV and ESPN will show live UEFA Europa League games this season in the UK (©UEFA)Photos/WallpapersPhotos/Wallpapers »

ESPN and ITV have each been awarded media rights packages for the UEFA Europa League in the United Kingdom.

Two new deals
UEFA has announced two separate deals for the new competition for the seasons between 2009 and 2012. The deals have been put in place following the cessation of Setanta's broadcast business in the UK. The granting of these rights complements the package of first-choice live match opportunities that Channel Five had previously acquired, as well as those ITV obtained in the original process.

Additional rights
The rights formerly gained by Setanta have been split between ITV and ESPN. ITV has obtained additional live matches throughout the season – meaning it will show a match from each of the early and late kick-off slots. ESPN has purchased the rights to the remaining inventory – meaning, at a minimum, it will broadcast one match from each kick-off slot on its new television channel, as well as all other rights in its package on the internet and via mobile wireless technologies.

'Top quality live football'
Commenting on the award of these rights, UEFA said: "We are delighted to have signed this deal with ESPN in respect of the UEFA Europa League rights in the United Kingdom. ESPN's new sports channel complements the launch of this exciting competition. This deal, along with an extension of ITV's rights, will provide UK football fans with access to additional top quality live football." TEAM Marketing AG is the exclusive marketing agent of UEFA for the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Europa League.

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