Agencies-Gaza post
Paramount buys Champions League broadcast rights for $1.5 billion
Paramount paid a record $1.5 billion to extend the US English-language broadcast rights to the Champions League.
According to the Financial Times, according to informed sources, the deal is worth $ 250 million per season over six years, 2.5 times the value of the previous contract for CBS, which is owned by Paramount.
Sean McManus, president of CBS Sports Network, said the Champions League has been a “key driver” for streaming service Paramount Plus, and they look forward to continuing to provide “best-in-class coverage that our viewers have come to expect.”
The agreement follows Comcast-owned NBC’s $2.7 billion six-year deal to show matches in the Premier League, Europe’s richest domestic league.
UEFA worked with the US marketing agency Relevant Sports Group and the European Club Association, to sell the rights not only to the Champions League, but also the Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
European football leagues and clubs are increasingly targeting American viewers with the aim of turning them into permanent fans and increasing the value of international media rights.
Meanwhile, US investors have bought into elite European soccer teams, including this year’s landmark deals that include AC Milan and Chelsea.