Disney+ to enter women's football market with Champions League rights
The streaming platform Disney+ is set to show live Women's Champions League matches from next season across multiple European broadcast territories, including the United Kingdom.
It is understood Disney+ has agreed a five-year deal which will mean that it broadcasts every single match in the competition live, which is being perceived as a major step forward for coverage of the European women's game's top club competition.
The streaming platform's move to enter the women's football market follows the news announced in December that Netflix secured the United States broadcast rights for live coverage of the 2027 and 2031 Women's World Cups.
Related: Barcelona are big Women's Champions League final favourites despite 'worst' season
In terms of the UK broadcast market, Disney's arrival means that women's football now has a sixth different major broadcaster covering the sport from next season. The BBC and Sky share the rights to show the Women's Super League, while TNT Sports and Channel 4 have secured a new deal to broadcast the Women's FA Cup, while ITV also cover the England women's team's matches – joined by the BBC for major tournaments. Additionally, every WSL 2 match is available live on YouTube next term.
Such a wide range of different subscriptions being required by supporters wanting to watch every match live may be a concern for some fans in terms of the cost, although it is also understood there will be some free-to-air coverage of the Women's Champions League in the UK too.
For the past four seasons, DAZN has shown the Women's Champions League live across Europe and some matches in the UK have additionally been picked up by TNT Sports.
Disney+ is understood to have made a hugely competitive offer, not only financially but in terms of the quality of their production, in their extensive plans for their coverage. The organisation reportedly has around 125 million subscribers globally.
The deal was agreed by UC3, a new joint venture organised between Uefa and the European Club Association, meaning that club representatives have been involved in the discussions around the broadcast rights deal. The agency Two Circles were commissioned to work on the deal.
The news comes ahead of this year's final, between Arsenal and Barcelona, which is taking place in Lisbon on Saturday. Barcelona are bidding to win the European title for the third consecutive year after eliminating Chelsea in the semi-finals. Arsenal are in their first final since lifting the trophy in 2007.
The Women's Champions League has a new format from next season. It is relatively similar to to the recently-revamped men's Champions League format, albeit smaller in terms of the number of teams. The women's event will switch from a 16-team group stage to now having a league phase, expanded to include 18 teams, where teams will be ranked in one league table, before a playoff round and then the more traditional knockout phase.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have earned the European spots for next term from the WSL as the top three with the latter starting their qualifying campaign in August. Arsenal's 2007 triumph is the only time a British women's club has ever won the European title.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Amid Concerns About Inside The NBA's Future On ESPN, An Insider Dropped Claims About What The Network Is Planning
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: TNT The NBA on TNT is officially over, and with that comes the end of Inside the NBA's 36-year run on the network. Luckily, the show will return with its four main hosts, as ESPN struck a deal to air it, starting this fall. However, there have still been some concerns regarding this new era for the show. Some appear worried that the Disney-owned sports company will change up the show too much and take away its essence in the process. Amid that chatter, a source is dropping claims about what's being planned for the sports TV staple. Advertisement It goes without saying that Inside has a unique flow, one that's fueled by conversations headed up by its A+ personalities like Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley. Of course, the series also makes use of excellent segments and provides the hosts with opportunities to participate in hilarious hijinks. (Barkley's even been pranked with a bucket of water on air.) As fans await the new season, an insider tells Front Office Sports that viewers shouldn't expect much to change: Some of the speculation's just nuts. ESPN has wanted Barkley and this show for 20 years. Now that they've got it, why would they change it? That source does pose an interesting question, considering Inside the NBA has been quite successful. Still, it's not uncommon for a massive organization to want to change up a TV program after acquiring it in order for it to better fit the brand. Sports journalist Bill Simmons was specifically concerned that ESPN would mess up Inside by tailoring the show to its sometimes commercial-heavy timeslots. Yet, if this insider is to be believed, the show will still air normally and the quartet of pundits will have an ample amount of time to shine. When the former TNT staple returns to the air this fall as part of the 2025 TV schedule, co-hosts Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley will reportedly still have a long postgame as they've always had. While they'll also still participate in pregame and halftime coverage as well, they'll also have live coverage for other major events. The reported plan is for the group to provide coverage for Christmas Day games, the NBA Finals, the Conference Finals, opening week and more, per FOS. All of that coverage may sound good for fans, but it might not gel with the hopes of at least one of the show's hosts. Charles Barkley, who rescinded his retirement from broadcasting in August 2024 before the ESPN deal was made, has been candid about waiting for more specifics about his work schedule. Barkley has been adamant about not wanting to work more frequently than he already is. While Barkley's TV career will continue for the time being, it's easy to get the feeling that execs are going to want to fill him in sooner rather than later. Advertisement So far, though, it would seem that the bigwigs at ESPN are seeking to maintain creative continuity, as they prepare for Inside the NBA's arrival. Company president Jimmy Pitaro spoke out and doubled down on the network's commitment to keeping the hosts together. As a longtime viewer of the program, I can understand the concerns that some of my fellow fans may have. But, until I see anything, I'm staying optimistic that this TV staple won't change too much. Let's hope Inside the NBA isn't negatively impacted by shifting networks as reported. And, if everything works out as hoped for, I'd imagine Charles Barkley won't mind going 'back to kissing ass.'
Fox News
4 hours ago
- Fox News
Miley Cyrus drips in crystals while turning heads with risqué sheer dress
Miley Cyrus is leaving little to the imagination in her latest daring ensemble. The "Flowers" singer turned heads in a sheer dress dripping in crystals for the screening of her visual album, "Something Beautiful," at the Tribeca Film Festival. Cyrus, 32, wore a plunging naked dress embellished with crystals. A nude bodysuit was revealed underneath with ivory-colored fringes at the bottom. She completed her look with a matching fringe jacket. The red carpet ensemble was an SS25 Schiaparelli by Daniel Roseberry net dress. The pop star accessorized with a cream-colored matching clutch, designed with a unique gold face, and she wore matching pointed heels. Cyrus' hair was styled in Hollywood waves. "Seeing Something Beautiful on the big screen at @tribeca @beacontheatre surrounded by the screams of the audience, was so worth every bit of effort lovingly labored into this visual album," she wrote on Instagram. "Tonight was emotional, deep, fun & fabulous. All my favorite things, but YOU the crowd were my absolute favorite of all. I love you." Earlier this week, Cyrus stepped out in yet another bold outfit in New York City. She wore a sheer Ludovic de Saint Sernin black dress, which she accessorized with black underwear and no bra. The former Disney star also paired the look with black sunglasses and high heels and wore her blonde hair in an old-fashioned updo with curled bangs. She was photographed in the chic look as she signed vinyls for fans. The actress posted photos of her daring outfit on Instagram with the caption, "Posed with the beautiful people who showed up at 30 Rock for @roughtradenyc." Fans were quick to flood the comments section with compliments. "You're such [an] icon," one fan wrote, while another added, "Damn this dress" with a few fire emojis. A third fan wrote, "What a queen omg," while another wrote, "OKAY OKAY OKAY YOU ATE THIS LOOK UP MAAM." The visual album also includes a corresponding musical movie, which will be released in theaters everywhere June 27. When it comes to the visuals, Cyrus told Harper's Bazaar they were "inspired by Pink Floyd's 'The Wall,'" and she set out to make it with "a better wardrobe and more glamorous and filled with pop culture."
Hypebeast
4 hours ago
- Hypebeast
Turnstile Takes It Up a Notch for 'NEVER ENOUGH'
Summary After a lengthy multimedia album rollout, Baltimore's very best punk rockers have presented their fourth studio project:NEVER ENOUGH. Turnstile recorded the anticipated project between Los Angeles and Baltimore and it also arrives alongside its very own companion film, directed by the band's Brendan Yates and Pat McCrory. The group celebrated the release ofNEVER ENOUGHon Thursday night with a sold-out performance at Brooklyn's Under The K Bridge along with support from Teezo Touchdown, Boy Harsher, and Big Boy. The band is now readying to head overseas for a run of European and UK dates. Features on the album include A. G. Cook,Faye Webster, former Sons of Kemet and the Comet Is Coming musician Shabaka Hutchings,Paramore'sHayley Williams,Blood Orange'sDevonté Hynes, andBadBadNotGood'sLeland Whitty. Pre-released singles include title track and opener 'NEVER ENOUGH,' LOOK OUT FOR ME,' 'SEEIN' STARS' and 'BIRDS.' 1. NEVER ENOUGH2. SOLE3. I CARE4. DREAMING5. LIGHT DESIGN6. DULL7. SUNSHOWER8. LOOK OUT FOR ME9. CEILING10. SEEIN' STARS11. BIRDS12. SLOWDIVE13. TIME IS HAPPENING14. MAGIC MAN When the band sat down with Hypebeast for the 31st issue of Hypebeast Magazine, McCrory said: 'There's a freedom in hardcore. As long as you're singing about something you really care about, the audience will be able to listen and understand.' NEVER ENOUGHis Turnstile freer than ever. Stream the album – out everywhere now.
