The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), through its sports division Eurovision Sport, has confirmed a significant new deal with UEFA for the media rights to UEFA’s Youth, Women’s, and Futsal National Team competitions.
The deal encompasses over 20 events, from 2019 through to 2022 and covers spans across over 50 European territories.
Pascal Fratellia, Eurovision Sport’s Head of Football Rights commented: “We are very pleased to enter into this new agreement with UEFA, reshaping our long-term relationship for the future with extended properties and territories and adding another dimension to our football portfolio.
“The deal ensures extensive broadcast support from EBU Members across Europe for women’s football, at both the highest level and at grassroots. Women’s football has entered a new era, engaging audiences and growing its fan base, and Eurovision Sport is proud to support and hopefully help take this to the next level as the natural broadcast partner.”
This agreement will see UEFA’s direct to fan platform UEFA.tv become the home of UEFA’s grassroots competitions with EBU Members providing extensive free-to-air coverage of matches relevant for their market. The deal ensures wide accessibility for these competitions and a consistent offering to fans for years to come.
Most notably the deal includes the UEFA European Women’s Championship 2021, hosted in England. EBU Members will provide comprehensive coverage across their linear and digital outlets, offering the best possible viewer experience in their respective domestic markets.
Guy-Laurent Epstein, Marketing Director of UEFA Events SA, added: “This pan-European deal with the EBU and its Member broadcasters fits perfectly with UEFA’s strategy and positioning for these national team competitions.
“The wide coverage that UEFA.tv will provide, coupled with the EBU Member’s free-to-air reach, carries a mutual benefit allowing UEFA to show many live matches directly to football fans across Europe whilst ensuring exclusivity for key matches and competitions to the EBU Member broadcasters. All in all a natural fit.”
Insider Insight: The deal with Eurovision Sport can expand the reach and engagement of these tournaments, as they benefit from a new broadcasting focus across Europe.
