The new format, which could be implemented for the 2002/3 season, may see the availability of a number of rights packages to the Champions League, potentially including deals with free-to-air and pay-TV broadcasters as well as mobile content and broadband internet rights agreements.
UEFA currently has a single television partner in the majority of countries, of which many are free-to-air broadcasters. The prime markets of the likes of France and Spain are the exception to this with separate deals for pay-TV and terrestrial rights.
UEFA has come under close scrutiny in recent months from the European Commission (EC) with regard to its media rights strategy and has been issued with an investigatory statement concerning, amongst other issues, the ability of free-to-air broadcaster partners to sub-license their rights.
Mike Lee, spokesman for UEFA, told sportbusiness.com
