Keir Starmer has sent a letter to TNT sports requesting that the Champions League final be aired on free-to-air television. The decision by the broadcaster to charge fans to watch all three European finals has reportedly upset UEFA, especially with English clubs vying for multiple titles.
This move marks the first time in 34 years since the modern rebrand of the Champions League that UK viewers will not have free access to the final without a subscription. In a strongly worded message, Starmer expressed disappointment at the lack of free viewing for football fans in the UK, emphasizing the significance of the Champions League to supporters in the country.
Starmer emphasized the importance of keeping the competition accessible to all fans, regardless of the teams involved, highlighting the unity that comes from people gathering to watch top European players compete. He stressed the need to prioritize supporters over subscription fees.
Previously, ITV held exclusive broadcasting rights to the Champions League finals from 1992 to 2003, followed by joint rights with Sky Sports until 2015. BT Sport then took over the UEFA rights from the 2015/16 season and had previously streamed European finals for free on YouTube.
TNT Sports, formerly BT Sport, had made the finals available for free to customers who signed up with its sister streaming service discovery+ after securing the contract two years ago. Arsenal is set to challenge defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the upcoming Champions League final, with the Gunners aiming to win the prestigious title for the first time.
In related news, Aston Villa triumphed over Freiburg in the Europa League final, while Crystal Palace is set to face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final in their quest for a historic European trophy. A spokesperson for TNT Sports expressed pride in showcasing UEFA club competitions in the UK and highlighted the affordable access to the finals for fans through a subscription to HBO Max.
The availability of the UEFA finals for a nominal fee of £4.99, which includes access to HBO Max’s entertainment content, was noted as a value proposition for fans to enjoy the thrilling conclusion of the competitions.