The Guardian:
If, as expected, BSkyB and ITV retain the joint rights to show Champions League football they will be placed in the vanguard of a revolutionary experiment by governing body Uefa to increase the number of people watching games live over the internet.
The two are expected to shortly announce that they have renewed their existing £83m-a-year deal to share live rights to Europe's biggest club competition.
The contract, which runs from 2006 to 2009, is expected to mirror the existing deal, with ITV having first pick of two matches on either Tuesday or Wednesday nights and Sky broadcasting the rest live through its interactive service. But, in an effort to promote viewing across a range of platforms and continue to placate European commission competition authorities who want to see rights owners encouraging mobile phone and internet usage, both will have to simulcast games on the internet.
A spokesman for Uefa confirmed that all broadcasters showing games live would be "obliged" to show them online. Uefa has allowed clubs to show delayed Champions League coverage and highlights online, never live broadcasts.
By tying live television rights to the internet package, Uefa will placate broadcasters who fear that a separate online deal would cannibalise their audience. But it may also rile big clubs trying to develop their own online propositions.