Amazon securing UK Champions League rights positions sports as ‘must have’ for streaming services, says GlobalData

Following the news that Amazon Prime will be showing Champions League games from 2024;

Conrad Wiacek, Head of Sport Analysis at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:

“Amazon adding the Champions League to its existing portfolio of Premier League, Tennis and Rugby sports rights in the UK is a strong indication that sports rights will be essential for streaming services to grow their subscribers. Sky utilised soccer as a means of growing its audience when it launched in the UK and pay-TV platforms the world over have been centering their growth strategies around sports acquisition.

“With the Champions League’s group stage having expanded from 24 to 36 teams, the value of UEFA rights in the UK market is now estimated to be worth in excess of $1.5 billion, signifying an increase in revenue for European soccer’s governing body and addressing one of the key reasons behind the failed Super League venture, namely more money for top clubs.

“Amazon will certainly use the lure of more sport to attract viewers to its platform and in turn convert those viewers into subscribers for the Amazon Prime shopping service. In addition to Amazon, the BBC will be showing highlights, allowing for a greater audience reach, which will please UEFA sponsorship partners in a key market.”