British football supporters face another subscription burden as Paramount+ emerges victorious in securing UEFA Champions League broadcasting privileges from 2027 onwards.
The American streaming service has outbid TNT Sports for the prestigious European tournament rights, marking a significant shift in UK sports broadcasting.
Multiple reports confirm the platform submitted substantial offers for various UEFA club competition packages, surpassing rival bidders in what insiders describe as an extraordinarily complex auction process.
The winning proposal reportedly exceeds the considerable sum TNT Sports previously committed for exclusive coverage.
TNT Sports have hosted Champions League football over the last decade
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This development ends TNT's lengthy association with Europe's premier club tournament, which began over a decade ago.
Paramount's triumphant offer surpasses the £1 billion TNT Sports invested in their current arrangement.
The broadcaster, previously operating as BT Sport, secured the rights in 2013 through an £897 million agreement that wrestled coverage away from Sky Sports.
Since the 2015/16 season, TNT has delivered comprehensive coverage of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League to British audiences.
Their exclusive grip loosened in 2022 when Amazon Prime entered the market, claiming one weekly match.
Paramount already show Champions League football to American viewers via CBS Sports
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The bidding process, managed by agency Relevent Football, encompassed simultaneous negotiations across Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
The acquisition represents yet another financial obligation for devoted followers of the beautiful game.
Viewers must already maintain multiple subscriptions to access comprehensive football coverage across various platforms.
Current arrangements divide matches between Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Amazon Prime and the BBC's free-to-air service.
Paramount's entry into the market necessitates an additional monthly payment for those wishing to follow European football's elite competition.
This fragmentation of broadcasting rights has drawn criticism from supporters who face mounting costs to watch their favourite teams compete.
The streaming platform's victory ensures British audiences will require four separate paid services to access all Premier League, FA Cup and European fixtures from 2027.
Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards and Thierry Henry are already pundits on CBS Sports
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TNT retains broadcasting privileges for select Premier League fixtures and FA Cup matches through to 2029's conclusion.
Meanwhile, Amazon Prime's existing arrangement continues, with the platform securing preferential selection of Tuesday evening Champions League encounters.
Paramount's comprehensive package encompasses all Champions League matches broadcast in Britain, save for one Tuesday fixture per matchweek.
The streaming service, owned by Paramount Skydance under David Ellison's leadership, already delivers the competition to American audiences through CBS Sports.
Their popular coverage features presenter Kate Abdo alongside pundits Thierry Henry, Micah Richards and Jamie Carragher, suggesting a proven format may transfer to British screens.