ITV1, BBC1 to air nearly all Euro 2008

Nearly all coverage of this year's Euro 2008 championships will be on BBC One and ITV1, Ofcom confirmed today.

The broadcasters won joint live rights to the tournament in June - before all the UK teams failed to qualify.

They have now formally applied to Ofcom for consent to show the matches and said only a handful, where games clash, will be on digital-only channels.

"ITV and the BBC will be sharing coverage of Euro 2008," the regulator said in a statement. "All of the matches which they will be showing will be on ITV1 and BBC One except for four in the earlier stages of the tournament which clash with other matches on the same evening and which will therefore be shown on ITV or BBC digital channels."

Both broadcasters previously said they would simulcast all of their games on the internet. The final on Sunday June 29 will be live on BBC One with highlights later on ITV1.

BBC director of sport Roger Mosey said: "We're confident many millions of people will enjoy the tournament on BBC television, radio and online. There will be plenty of familiar faces on the pitch, and some great matches in prospect."

Mark Sharman, ITV director of news and sport, added: "Euro 2008 is one of the highlights of a huge year of live football on ITV and, with some of the world's best players taking part, we are looking forward to an exciting tournament."