UK commercial broadcaster Channel 4 is exploring the possibility of bidding for live rights to the Uefa Champions League European club football competition, according to the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
The broadcaster is looking at the possibility of acquiring rights for live coverage of one game per match-week in the next cycle of rights.
The auction for the rights in the UK over three seasons, from 2018-19 to 2020-21, will take place next month, the newspaper added.
BT Sport is currently the exclusive UK live rights-holder, however audience figures on the pay-television broadcaster’s channels have been lower than expected.
BT Sport is expected to bid to retain the rights, with pay-television rival Sky – a previous rights-holder – expected to compete in the auction.
Channel 4 and BT Sport have refused to comment on speculation that the two parties have held talks over a joint bid for the rights.