European football association UEFA is to launch its own OTT TV service.
The announcement was made at the 43rd UEFA Ordinary Congress in Rome, after the re-election of President Aleksander Ceferin for a second term.
Ceferin told delegates that a major challenge in the years ahead would involve making football more accessible to all fans across the planet, thanks to exciting new digital platforms.
“This is why I am pleased to announce that UEFA will be launching its OTT platform in the next six months,” he said. “We are fully aware that a revolution is under way, and are in the process of agreeing historic partnerships with the world’s leading companies in this field.”
It’s likely that at launch the platform will only be available outside Europe and North America – in any case the broadcast rights to the Champions League and Europa League will be tied up with local broadcasters within those territories – and in at least the medium term it may be more lucrative to keep them there.
The platform will be launched ahead of the 2019/20 season.
