Sports & Competition
Thu, November 20, 2025
Wed, November 19, 2025
Paramount+ Takes the Helm of UK Champions League Streaming 2025-29
//sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. lm-of-uk-champions-league-streaming-2025-29.html
Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 12:52 GMT by The New York Times- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Champions League TV in the UK: Paramount+ Takes the Helm
The United Kingdom’s broadcast landscape for the UEFA Champions League is shifting in a move that has left fans, clubs and broadcasters scrambling for a new home. A recent New York Times article (accessed via the Athletic section) details the latest development: Paramount+ has secured the exclusive rights to stream the premier European club competition in the UK, ending a long‑standing partnership that began in the mid‑1990s with the BBC and later ITV, and ending the era of pay‑per‑view coverage on Sky Sports and BT Sport. The deal, announced in late 2024, covers the 2025‑26 through 2028‑29 seasons and will transform how fans across the country experience the action.
How the Deal Came About
The article traces the trajectory of Champions League rights in the UK over the last three decades. For 27 years, the BBC’s Sports Centre and later its flagship programme BBC Sport had a strong presence, with a brief stint on ITV in the early 2000s. From 2018, the rights were carried by pay‑television providers Sky Sports and BT Sport, who offered extensive live coverage, behind‑the‑scenes content and extensive commentary teams.
However, in an era of cord‑cutting and the growing dominance of streaming platforms, UEFA began looking for a partner that could reach a global audience while offering a more flexible, on‑demand model. Paramount’s bid was backed by a sizeable financial commitment, reportedly surpassing Sky’s £100 million bid by a wide margin. The company promised a wide array of supplementary programming—including analysis shows, historical retrospectives and behind‑the‑scenes documentaries—to complement live match streams.
UEFA’s decision, as highlighted in the article, was partly driven by its own commercial strategy. The governing body has been keen to increase global viewership and monetize its brand beyond traditional broadcasting, especially as the 2026 World Cup approaches. Paramount+ – formerly known as CBS All‑Access – offers a ready platform to roll out this strategy, given its existing subscriber base in the UK and its experience with sports rights in the United States.
What the New Rights Package Entails
The coverage will be split across two channels: a dedicated Champions League feed on Paramount+ and an auxiliary feed on the Paramount+ “Sports” channel. The arrangement guarantees that all 64 regular‑season fixtures will be available for live streaming, and the platform will provide a comprehensive archive of past seasons. Viewers will also be able to access live commentary in multiple languages – including English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese and Polish – a first for the UK market.
The package includes a “match‑day” programme featuring pre‑match analysis, a live half‑time show and post‑match interviews with club officials and players. The article emphasises that Paramount will leverage its partnership with ESPN and SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) to provide exclusive regional commentary streams for key matches, notably the semi‑finals and the final. The streaming service will also integrate interactive features such as real‑time statistics, a fan‑poll, and a “fantasy commentary” feature that lets viewers vote on which pundits will analyze the game.
Importantly, the deal incorporates a catch‑up service: fans who miss a live stream will have access to a full replay within 48 hours on the Paramount+ platform. This contrasts with the “live‑only” model of Sky Sports, which has been criticised for forcing fans to commit to expensive packages.
Implications for Fans and the Wider Market
The article reports that the transition to Paramount+ has sparked a lively debate among fans, many of whom are loyal to the BBC’s accessible, ad‑free coverage. A number of fan forums are echoing concerns about the cost of streaming services, the reliability of internet connections, and the potential for “black‑out” restrictions in certain regions. The piece notes that Paramount will offer a 30‑day free trial and a lower‑price “Sports‑only” subscription tier to address these concerns.
The coverage is expected to bring a higher level of production quality. Paramount will partner with MGM for high‑definition multi‑camera footage, and will provide a “virtual studio” that overlays graphics, AI‑driven highlights and 3D replays. The article quotes a former BBC Sport producer, who notes that the new coverage “could be the best in the world if it’s executed well.”
Meanwhile, the loss of broadcasting rights for Sky and BT Sport marks a blow to those platforms, who had built extensive “Champions League” branding around the competition. In the article, Sky’s CEO acknowledges that the deal “represents the end of an era” but emphasises that the company will focus on its other sports properties such as Premier League football and Formula 1.
Contextual Links and Broader Trends
The Athletic article is rich with contextual references. It links to the official UEFA Champions League page, offering a history of the competition’s evolution, and to Paramount’s own corporate website, where a dedicated Sports section explains how the platform is expanding its global reach. It also references a 2024 New York Times piece on CBS’s acquisition of NBA streaming rights, illustrating how traditional broadcast networks are pivoting to streaming for sports content.
The article draws parallels to other European markets where streaming has overtaken linear TV. For instance, in Germany, DAZN has become the primary broadcaster for the Champions League, and in Spain, DAZN and ESPN are collaborating on “match‑day” programming. This international context is critical because it underscores the shift in consumer expectations: fans increasingly demand on‑demand access, multi‑device compatibility, and immersive features that traditional broadcast cannot easily match.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount+ secures UK rights for the Champions League 2025‑26 to 2028‑29 seasons, ending a long partnership with Sky and BT Sport.
- Comprehensive streaming package includes live matches, multi‑language commentary, 48‑hour replay, and a suite of supplementary programming.
- Fan response is mixed: while many appreciate the new features and accessibility, others worry about subscription costs and potential black‑out restrictions.
- Impacts on broadcasters: Sky and BT Sport will re‑allocate resources to other sports, while Paramount aims to use the platform to expand its global sports portfolio.
- Industry trend: This deal is part of a broader shift from linear television to streaming in sports, driven by consumer demand for flexibility and immersive viewing experiences.
In conclusion, the article presents a nuanced portrait of a landmark shift in sports broadcasting. It highlights not just the business mechanics of the deal but also its cultural impact on how fans engage with one of the world’s most celebrated club competitions. Whether Paramount’s vision will deliver on its promise remains to be seen, but the move signals a future in which streaming platforms are no longer optional – they’re the default.
Read the Full The New York Times Article at:
[ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6823689/2025/11/20/champions-league-tv-uk-paramount/ ]
