According to UK press reports, commercial broadcaster ITV and pay-TV broadcaster BSkyB believe that the BBC is prepared to offer “whatever it takes” to secure the rights. Setanta Sports, is also expected to bid.
Bids are due on March 12 and it is estimated that UEFA will receive around £125 million a year from the UK market over the next three-years. from 2009. The Team agency is asking broadcasters to bid separately for the right for the first and second picks of matches each evening.
BSkyB and ITV currently share the rights, with ITV having the first two picks of games on Tuesdays and Sky showing the rest, including high-profile live fixtures on Wednesdays.
