Paramount+ Secures Champions League Rights in the UK Starting 2027

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

In a significant transformation of the UK football broadcasting scene, Paramount+ has eclipsed TNT Sports, securing the majority of UEFA Champions League rights from 2027 through 2031.

This agreement signifies a pivotal shift as TNT Sports, the long-time broadcaster since the 2015-16 season, relinquishes control over most of the matches. Amazon Prime Video will maintain its preferred first-choice slots for Tuesday night games, reinforcing its foothold in the UK market.

The bidding war that concluded with Paramount's victory illustrates the escalating competition among global media entities for elite football broadcasting rights. Reports indicate that Paramount’s bid far exceeded the approximately £1 billion that TNT has been investing under its existing contract.

The loss represents a significant setback for TNT Sports' parent companies, BT Group and Warner Bros Discovery Inc., who assert their decision reflected a commitment to financial prudence for both their business and customers. They remain confident in their overall sports offering, including the English Premier League and other high-profile events.

This development highlights Paramount's expanding aspirations within the European sports landscape, especially as it already holds Champions League broadcasting rights in the U.S. For fans in the UK, this change translates to the necessity of subscribing to a different platform to catch crucial Champions League matches post-2027.