/vnd/media/agency_attachments/bGjnvN2ncYDdhj74yP9p.png)
British Telecom (BT) has won the exclusive live broadcast rights for all 350 matches from Champions League and UEFA Europa League football. The rights run for three seasons from 2015/16.
This is the first time a single UK broadcaster has won the exclusive live rights for all matches for both the tournaments. Hundreds of additional top tier matches will boost BT Sport and make it the natural home for football fans.
"BT has agreed to pay around £299 mn in a season for the rights, an amount it said it can incur without changing its current financial outlook," the company said in its statement.
"The rights are expected to drive additional growth in BT Consumer revenue and profits over the medium-term. BT will pay a deposit of around £60 mn in November 2013 followed by six-monthly instalments commencing July 2015. Despite these payments, BT's financial outlook is unchanged," it said.
"Normalised free cash flow-3 is expected to be around £2.3bn in 2013/14, around £2.6bn in 2014/15 and to grow further in 2015/16. BT continues to expect adjusted 4 EBITDA to be £6.0bn-£6.1bn in 2013/14, £6.2bn-£6.3bn in 2014/15 and to grow further in 2015/16," the company said.
"The live rights will give a major boost to BT Sport and give people yet another reason to take our terrific service," it added.
"BT Sport has got off to a strong start with customers enjoying what we have to offer. We have attracted millions of customers by giving sport back to the fans, and we can assure people who want to catch all the action, that European football will be far more accessible and affordable with BT," said Gavin Patterson, chief executive, BT.
"Since its launch in the summer, BT Sport has been UEFA's partner for the UEFA Europa League and has demonstrated its ability to deliver premium sports coverage. We look forward to working with BT Sport on both competitions in the 2015-18 rights cycle," said Guy-Laurent Epstein, Marketing Director, UEFA Events SA.