Uefa Champions League on i-Cable, Now TV in ‘healthy’ Hong Kong broadcast rights shake-up
For the first time since 2009, Cable TV does not have an exclusive deal to
broadcast European football’s premier club competition in Hong Kong
Cable TV and Now TV will share Uefa Champions League broadcasting duties this season in a groundbreaking move for Hong Kong football television rights.
Friday’s announcement marked a move away from previous seasons, when European football’s premier club competition could be found exclusively on one network in Hong Kong.
“This is more healthy than before,” one insider said. “The cost of buying the rights is cheaper as it is not exclusive and we don’t have to use all the money to kill the rivals by not giving them the broadcasting opportunity.
“It all depends on the quality of your programme to attract the fans.”
Local football fans can breathe a sigh of relief after broadcast details for this season’s competition were finally confirmed just a few days before the first group-stage games kick off on Tuesday.
Liverpool’s opening group C home tie against French champions Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield will be a top attraction, while other European giants such as Juventus, Real Madrid and Inter Milan are also in line for live broadcasts on opening match days.