ESPN secures UEFA coverage
ESPN, the recently launched Disney-owned TV channel, is bolstering its football coverage by securing the rights to broadcast the UEFA Europa League for the next three seasons.
The latest deal comes in addition to the exclusive broadcast rights it holds to show 46 games for the Barclays Premier League’s 2009-2010 season.
It also won the rights to air 23 games per season from 2010 to 2013.
Formerly known as the UEFA Cup, the UEFA Europa League will feature clubs from across Europe competing to reach the finals in May each year, starting with Hamburg, Germany in 2010.
The games will begin on 17 September and will be broadcast on Wednesday and Thursday nights throughout the season.
As part of the deal, ESPN will serve as host broadcaster for any live home matches featuring British clubs that it selects for broadcast.
The channel also airs 30 Clydesdale Bank Premier League and up to 80 Italian Serie A live matches. Additionally, it airs live German Bundesliga, Dutch Eredivisie, Portuguese Liga, Russian Premier League and MLS as well as international sports and a wide-range of US sports.
ESPN, the TV channel, went live on 3 August, supported by a national outdoor campaign. It is featured ads on poster sites across London, as well as bus sides nationwide with the strapline “It’s great to be here”
The ads supported the TV and press executions launched on 25 July, created by Wieden & Kennedy Amsterdam.
