Sky has secured the exclusive rights to the UEFA Champions League and Europa League in Italy, freezing out rival Mediaset.
Sky will hold the live rights to all UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches from the 2018/19 season through to 2020/21. Already Mediaset has backed out of the Serie A auction and Lega Serie A is planning to start the tender process again.
Andrea Zappia, Sky Italia CEO: “We are extremely pleased with this result. For the first time ever the Champions League and Europa League will be available together in an exclusive integrated offer that will allow fans to view up to seven Italian teams, more than ever before, competing against the best clubs in Europe.”
The new Champions League format will feature four Italian teams, one more than in previous years.
With the launch of Sky Q in the Italian market in 2018, selected matches will be broadcast in the Ultra HD format.