European cups: UEFA launches the bidding in Italy for the 2018-2021 audiovisual rights

UEFA has launched the bidding for the 2018-2021 audiovisual rights to the Champions League and Europa League, valid in Italy, announced the European body on 15/05/2017. Candidates must submit their bid no later than 12/06/2017.

• Mediaset, the Italian free-TV and pay-TV group, is the exclusive rights holder in Italy for the 2015-2018 Champions League, acquired on 10/02/2014. The amount of the acquisition was estimated by the Italian media to be €700m, a little more than €230m per season. Sky Italia acquired the exclusive rights to broadcast the 2012-2015 Champions League for an estimated €490m according to the Italian media, or more than €160m per season before sublicensing one part to Mediaset.
• The pay-TV group Sky Italia acquired the exclusive rights, in Italy, to broadcast the 2015-2018 Europa League, on 10/02/2014.

Sky Italia could be the only bidder for the 2018-2021 period, as Mediaset's interest could also depend on the outcome of the dispute between the French group Vivendi and its potential acquisition of Mediaset Premium.

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