Free TV becomes pay TV: SRF loses Champions League to Teleclub
Starting in 2018, the Champions League will be available exclusively on the pay-TV channel Teleclub. The Swisscom subsidiary plans to broadcast select matches on the free-to-air channel Teleclub Zoom and is keeping broadcasting options open for SRG.
Switzerland is thus also following the DACH trend that the era of public broadcasts of the Champions League is coming to an end. In Germany and Austria, ZDF and ORF have lost the rights to Sky and the online sports TV station Dazn.
Teleclub and its parent company CT Cinetrade have reached an agreement with Team Marketing, which markets the rights to the Champions League and Europa League on behalf of Uefa. The details are currently still being finalized. Under the agreement, all Champions League and Uefa Europa League matches will be shown on Teleclub from next year.
TV legend and Teleclub soccer expert Marcel Reif will make his comeback as a commentator during the Champions League.
Teleclub and its parent company CT Cinetrade have reached an agreement with Team Marketing, which markets the rights to the Champions League and Europa League on behalf of Uefa. The details are currently still being finalized. Under the agreement, all UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches will be shown on Teleclub from next year. In addition to live matches, the new package also includes extensive highlight and archive rights. The contracting parties have agreed not to disclose the amount of the rights costs.
Contrary to the trend in surrounding countries, however, these attractive competitions will not take place exclusively on pay TV. Rather, individual matches will also be shown live on the free TV channel Teleclub Zoom. In addition, co-exclusive rights have been acquired for some matches, making it possible for SRG to take over and broadcast them, Teleclub writes in a statement.
Europa League also on Teleclub
The Champions League final will be enjoyed in Switzerland for the first time exclusively on Teleclub's platforms, namely on the new free-TV channel Teleclub Zoom, which will start operations on July 22, 2017.
Teleclub also secured extensive and, for the most part, exclusive rights to the Europa League: All 205 matches per season will be broadcast on Thursdays on Teleclub's various pay and free TV platforms. The final match of the UEFA Europa League will also be shown on Teleclub.
From the 2018/19 season, there will be two different kick-off times per match day for Champions League and Europa League matches: 7 pm and 9 pm. This change should mean that more matches can be watched.
On SRF, the Champions League was previously shown in its entirety and "free of charge" because the otherwise expensive rights were available comparatively cheaply in Switzerland due to its size and the lack of competition. On both Tuesday and Wednesday, one match each was shown live. The broadcast was followed by summaries of all the other games. So after the coming season, that will be the end of it. SRF has not yet commented on the latest development and the "loss" of the Champions League. (hae)
