Paramount Skydance Corporation announced that it has secured the majority of United Kingdom broadcast rights for the UEFA Champions League for the 2027‑28 through 2030‑31 seasons. The company outbid TNT Sports in a competitive auction, paying a premium that is widely reported to be well in excess of the £1 billion deal currently held by TNT. Under the agreement, Paramount+ will carry most Champions League matches, while Amazon Prime Video will retain the first‑pick Tuesday night games and Sky Sports will hold the Europa League and Conference League rights.
The deal places Paramount+ in direct competition with Amazon Prime Video and Sky Sports for the most coveted live sports content in the UK. Amazon’s retention of the Tuesday night games preserves its flagship match‑day offering, while Sky’s exclusive coverage of the Europa and Conference Leagues keeps it as a key player in the European club competition market. Paramount’s entry into the Champions League field is expected to intensify subscription competition and could prompt additional tiered pricing or bundled offers.
Strategically, the acquisition aligns with Paramount Skydance’s focus on high‑value live events to drive subscriber growth and advertising revenue. The company already holds Champions League rights in the United States, and the UK deal will allow it to cross‑sell the content to a new audience while leveraging its existing Paramount+ platform. The long‑term nature of the agreement provides predictable revenue streams and positions Paramount+ as a leading live‑sports destination in a market where live sports remain a key driver of streaming growth.
The rights purchase comes amid a period of financial restructuring for Paramount Skydance. The company reported a net loss in its most recent quarter, driven in part by merger‑related expenses, but also highlighted a 24 % increase in direct‑to‑consumer revenue and the addition of 1.4 million new subscribers. Management has set a $3 billion cost‑savings target for the year and has emphasized strategic investments in content, including sports, as a priority for future growth.
Industry analysts view the Champions League deal as a significant bet on the long‑term value of live sports content. The UK market is becoming increasingly fragmented, with multiple streaming platforms vying for premium rights. Paramount Skydance’s entry is expected to raise the bar for subscription pricing and could accelerate the shift toward bundled offerings that combine sports, movies, and original programming. The company’s ability to monetize the new rights will depend on its capacity to attract and retain subscribers in a crowded market.
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