Sky Sports secures La Liga rights

Sky Sports has secured an exclusive three-year TV rights deal to broadcast live matches from La Liga in Spain.

Under the arrangement, Sky Sports will show at least two live matches every weekend from Spain's top league for the 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. This will begin on Saturday at 7pm when Real Madrid take on Deportivo de La Coruña on Sky Sports 2, followed by Real Zaragoza versus Tenerife at 9pm.

On Sunday, Sky Sports 2 will show Valencia versus Seville at 6pm, followed by champions Barcelona versus Sporting Gijon on Monday at 8pm on Sky Sports 1 (with the first half via the red button). Weekly Spanish football magazine show Revista de La Liga will also return on September 1 at 5.30pm on Sky Sports 1.

Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said: "We are delighted to continue our long association with the best in Spanish football - it's now thirteen years since Sky Sports viewers first enjoyed the glamour of La Liga.

"With Ronaldo and Kaka joining Real Madrid, the challenge for Barcelona's treble winners will be intense and should provide more compulsive viewing."

Sky Sports Spanish football expert Gerry Armstrong added: "Of course it'll be fascinating to see Ronaldo and Kaka lead the challenge with Real Madrid, but we all saw just how good Barcelona were last season and with [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic leading the line they can only get better.

"Also, watch out for Atletico Madrid with [Sergio] 'Kun' Aguero and Diego Forlan, and Villareal, without the pressure of the Champions League, also have some very talented players."