ITV, Sky retain Champions League rights

ITV and Sky have concluded a new deal to retain the broadcast rights for the Champions League.

Under the contract, which runs from September 2006 through May 2009, ITV will continue to air two games on a Tuesday - one on ITV1 and one on new male station ITV4 - followed by a highlights show later in the evening. Sky will air the remaining six matches on Tuesday and all eight on Wednesday via its interactive service.

"To have exclusive terrestrial rights to the world's premier club competition for another three seasons underlines ITV's continuing commitment to top class sport," said Mark Sharman, ITV's director of sport. "This is a terrific result for ITV1 and ITV’s digital channels – both will show live Tuesday evening Champions League action throughout the competition as well as the final."

Vic Wakeling, managing director of Sky Sports, added: "This new deal guarantees us four more seasons of UEFA Champions League Football in all, starting tonight, and allows us to develop and enhance this service still further - whilst always making sure we are with the British clubs every step of the way."

For the first time, both broadcasters will stream the games via their respective websites. ITV also has the option of broadcasting coverage of Tuesday games featuring Scottish clubs as an opt-out on STV.