SBS Secures Three Year Deal For Prestigious Football Tournaments

15 May 2009

SBS today announced it had successfully secured a three season deal with UEFA to ensure Europe’s most prestigious football tournament, the UEFA Champions League, will continue to get a LIVE free-to-air showing on Australian television.

In addition to the UEFA Champions League, SBS will also show the UEFA Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup) and UEFA Super Cup.

SBS will once again broadcast a LIVE game each match day and double-header matches during eastern-standard-time on its primary, SBS ONE platform with complimentary coverage on SBS TWO.

SBS will share the rights with subscription television, ESPN and, to provide viewers with greater choice, will never broadcast the same match as the pay-tv network – simultaneously.

SBS’s Champions League agreement not only includes the regular UEFA Champions League Magazine programme and UEFA Champions League Highlights Hour with Les Murray & Craig Foster, but will include match highlights every match week in the Sunday afternoon Les Murray’s Football Feature.  

In addition, SBS will provide LIVE, delayed and highlights coverage every match week of the UEFA Europa League and a one-off battle between the Champions League and Europa League trophy winners, for the ultimate UEFA Super Cup prize.  Whilst SBS’s flagship online football property, www.theworldgame.com.au will have comprehensive coverage of all competitions.

“Football has a long-term strategic value to SBS and the UEFA Champions League is considered the pre-eminent European football competition,” said SBS Managing Director, Shaun Brown.

“SBS is renowned for its experience, credibility and expertise in providing a global view of the world game.  We are not only proud, but excited to continue our broadcast of the UEFA Champions League and extend our football commitment to include the full UEFA Europa League season,” continued Mr Brown.

SBS is also the Official Broadcaster of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.