For the three-year period from 2006-09 the TV rights have been sold to more than 230 countries, matches will be streamed live on the internet for the first time, UEFA has brought in the highest-ever marketing revenue and introduced a new six-sponsor marketing concept.
There are 90 TV broadcast partners worldwide with the leading broadcasters in Europe on board, including new partners RAI (Italy) and Antena 3 (Spain). Among the many new broadcast coverage initiatives will be a ball tracking system and enhanced graphics. Broadband internet users will also be able to watch live internet streaming of UEFA Champions league matches for the first time.
The 32 clubs will be playing for the biggest prize fund in the competition's history. The provisional total marketing revenues for the 2006/07 season will be €750 million - a substantial increase on the 2005/06 total of €610 million - with €575.75m to go to the participating clubs and €174.25m to make solidarity payments to associations, eliminated clubs and leagues, as well as to cover organisational costs.
A new six-sponsor concept has been introduced for the 2006-2009 period with new sponsors Vodafone and Sony coming on board to join Ford, Heineken, PlayStation and MasterCard who have renewed their agreements.
