Five Scores UEFA Cup Rights

LONDON, June 4: Five has
signed a three-year deal, beginning in the 2009-2010 season, with sports
marketing agency T.E.A.M. for rights to the UEFA Cup.

Five will have the first
pick of matches in each round as well as the exclusive rights to the final,
which are currently held by ITV. The agreement grants the British broadcaster a
guaranteed 15 games a year.

Robert Charles, Five’s
controller of sport, said: “Five has been the place to see the UEFA Cup with
more than 100 games shown over the past 11 years. I’m delighted we have secured
these rights and will now see the tournament, from the first round right
through to the final, on Five until 2012.”

Charles Constable, Five’s
director of strategy, added: “Football is a key part of Five’s programming
strategy. It’s great for our viewers that we can now guarantee them so many
games every season, involving some of the best teams in Britain and Europe.”

—By Mansha Daswani