SBS has reached an agreement with beIN Sports for the free-to-air broadcast rights for the next three years of the UEFA Champions League.
Doubt was cast over whether the long-time broadcaster would be broadcasting the games on free-to-air, after UEFA distributed a list with subscriber service beIN Sports having the rights for Oceania.
But SBS announced today that they have locked in the new agreement for three seasons, continuing their long-standing partnership with the biggest competition in world club football.
SBS will broadcast one live match on Wednesdays and have a weekly one hour highlights show on Thursday nights.
This is similar to deals in years gone by.
beIN Sports still has the rights to the Europa League, and will likely broadcast all of those matches. It is unclear at this stage what they will broadcast of the Champions League, however an earlier press release said beIN would broadcast all matches, including finals.
“SBS is pleased to work with beIN Sports as their exclusive free-to-air partner for the UEFA Champions League. Football is becoming increasingly competitive in the Australian market – so we’re delighted that we’ve secured the rights for another 3 years,” SBS Director of Sport Ken Shipp said.
“International sport is at the heart of SBS and reflects our unique Charter by connecting our diverse communities. SBS really loves Football, so we look forward to continuing our free-to-air coverage of the Champions League.”
Football fans will no doubt be pleased some Champions League will remain on SBS, which has long been a home of football.
Neil
Guest
I purchased Setanta then it became Bein, but I get it on the foxtel box, but it cost extra.
At work
Roar Rookie
I would love beIn to get onto the Foxtel broadcast, but highly doubt it will ever happen. Just like Setanta never did.
Bondy
Guest
SVB Well said ... .
conchie
Roar Rookie
Just a matter of time really before we are all kicking a round rubber ball around, i have heard it personally for quite a number of years and if we look historically it has been said for over 100 years.
conchie
Roar Rookie
Do not question fuss his disciples get very upset, there is quite a little cult surrounding him. It is very amusing.
conchie
Roar Rookie
Could it be possible that fuss is a football illiterate ?.
LordBrucie
Guest
Although growing in popularity the popularity of assoc.football is overrated in some quarters. Especially outside of the major centres like Canberra.
SVB
Guest
Sorry dude, but that's a bit over the top. "but I don’t like propaganda" and "I won’t apologise for not going with the crowd". Just say what you have to say, but don't act like some kind of martyr. Otherwise you are no different to the guy who you keep clashing horns with in every Football thread I happen to go on. Does it really matter if someone thinks highly of the a-league (even if they are wrong)? Does it affect you in such a way that you have to respond to every single thing? Too many people on here are intense to the point where it all starts getting personal.
jamesb
Guest
But for how long?
Steve
Guest
WTF are you talking about> "Demise of football", what apocalyptic crap is that, football is by far my favourite sport, but I don't like propaganda even with things I agree with. I won't apologise for not going with the crowd.
Bob
Guest
I can't understand why people come on a football supporters tab and attack the sport - does it happen on other tabs?
Bondy
Guest
Steve Can I ask is this personal for you , your attacks on Fuss and the demise of football in general in Australia whether it be on the field or in a broadcasting sense ..
CG2430
Guest
So SBS's content has halved? Better than nothing, I guess. Hope beIN eventually gets onto the standard Foxtel sport package.
nordster
Guest
Fuss is a master spinner, for better or worse.... :)
Steve
Guest
And I am man enough to admit I was wrong in that regard. Unlike yourself, never been able to do that have you. I guess you believe you are never wrong.
Bob
Guest
They still have A league
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
You categorically said BeIN Sports would not sell any LIVE content to FTA TV. You cannot get a more misinformed, erroneous prediction than that. I never said it would be the same deal. In fact, I specifically said: it may be unlikely BeIN will sell the Final & Semi Finals. But, in your haste to contradict everything I post, you chose to ignore the detail of my comment. Your comment was straight out: NO there will be no UCL broadcast LIVE on FTA TV.
Steve
Guest
Yes "similar"....I.e. half the content. Talk it up son. It also doesn't say which match? Do SBS get to chose which match, or do beIN proscribed to them which match. There's a difference between watching Barcelona on Wednesday and Chelsea on Thursday compared with CSKA Moscow. And the Final? Typical simplistic analysis.
cm
Guest
No mention of finals on sbs? Also I think I saw something on a-league remaining on Friday nights on SBS?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
More details from Seb Hassett (Fairfax Media football writer) > 1 match every Wednesday > weekly 1 hour highlights every Thursday that will cove ALL matches from every round http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CKpDTojUMAAipLm.png:large