Mediaset quashes Champions League sub-contracting rumours

Mediaset has forcefully denied persistent rumours that it is preparing to sub-contract some of its exclusive Champions League football rights to competitor Sky. 

The company issued a statement requesting the media “not to feed fanciful hypotheses” circulated “with the sole purpose of confusing the public” and denied that it is in negotiations to sub-contract Champions League rights.

Mediaset holds exclusive rights to the competition for the 2015-18 seasons. The group said it is committed to airing matches each Wednesday night on its free-to-air channel Canale 5, while other matches on Tuesdays and Wednesdays will be shown on the Mediaset Premium pay TV service.

Mediaset is reported to have paid a record €700 million for the rights to air Champions League matches for the next three years. Europa League rights are held exclusively by Sky.