Champions League, Europa League rights deal confirmed in Spain

A joint venture between the Mediapro agency and pay-television broadcaster beIN Sports has been confirmed as the exclusive rights-holder in Spain for the Uefa Champions League and Europa League club football competitions.

The rights, the details of which were first reported by TV Sports Markets on July 7, will run for three seasons, from 2018-19 to 2020-21.

BeIN and Mediapro are the current holders of pay-television Champions League rights across the 2015-16 to 2017-18 seasons, with commercial broadcaster Atresmedia and Catalan public-service broadcaster TV3 holding free-to-air rights.

The new deal marks the first time that Champions League rights have been awarded solely to a pay-television platform.

Telecommunications company Telefónica was edged out in the rights auction, according to reports.

The rights cover all games from the Champions League and Europa League tournaments.