New UEFA TV deal won't affect Irish viewers

IRISH viewers will not be affected by UEFA's decision to grant satellite broadcaster BSkyB and ITV the rights to broadcast live Champions League matches for 2003-06 in the UK.

The deal will have no implications for the Irish market as such agreements are undertaken on a nation by nation basis. TV3 currently have the rights to Champions League coverage in the Republic but this deal concludes after the Final in May.

However, UEFA have yet to outline their plans for any subsequent contracts. Michael Lynn, executive producer of Champions League for TV3, explained that television networks here are adopting a wait and see policy.