MTG extends Champions League rights to 2021

Jørgen Madsen Lindemann

Modern Times Group (MTG) has extended its rights to broadcast UEFA Champions League football in Scandinavia until 2021.

The broadcaster – which claims to be the only entertainment company in the world to have held the media rights the Champions League since it was launched in 1992 – will air the football via its free TV and Viasat channels, and Viaplay streaming service.

MTG has taken the rights on an exclusive basis in Sweden and Denmark. In Norway, it has secured the rights to 108 of the games exclusively and will show the rest of the matches.

MTG’s football output in Scandinavia also includes coverage of the English Premier League, England’s FA Cup, Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A, France’s Ligue 1, Denmark’s Superliga, and the English League Cup and Championship.

This is shown on a combination of MTG’s free TV channels, its Viasat pay TV channels and Viaplay streaming service, with rights differing between countries.

“This is great news for football fans as virtually all leading international club football games can now be found through a single TV subscription for years to come,” said MTG president and CEO, Jørgen Madsen Lindemann.

“We have enjoyed a long and successful partnership with UEFA and the TEAM agency, and are delighted to have extended these key rights. This year marks the 25th or silver anniversary of the launch of the phenomenally successful Champions League, so it is even more special to extend our partnership this year.”

Peter Nørrelund, MTG EVP and CEO of MTG Sport added: “Football is more popular than ever globally and Nordic fans’ enthusiasm is growing every year. We have higher ratings, more viewing and more followers, and we are able to reach bigger audiences in more ways than ever before.”