BBC & ITV Share Euro 2012 Games
BBC and ITV have been announced as the official broadcasters of UEFA EURO 2012 in the United Kingdom, which will see every one of the 31 matches transmitted live.
Both broadcasters have planned to further exploit all 31 matches via their respective internet and mobile platforms.
A daily highlights programme will also be shown on each match day during the tournament and the BBC has the right to provide extensive coverage of the competition across its radio channels.
Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director of UEFA Events SA, said: ‘UEFA is delighted to continue its relationship with the BBC and ITV, our traditional broadcast partners for the UEFA European Championships. We look forward to working with the UK’s leading free-to-air broadcasters and are convinced that they will provide fans in the UK with an exceptional depth of coverage of the tournament across all media platforms.’
The BBC and ITV also confirmed the full split of matches between the two broadcasters across the tournament.
The broadcasters will show a total of 16 matches each including the final, which will be broadcast by both ITV and the BBC.
England’s group games against France and Ukraine will be shown on ITV, while the BBC will broadcast the match against Sweden.
Niall Sloane, ITV Controller of Sport added: ‘Major events such as the Euro 2012 Championships have huge significance for our viewers and attract some of the biggest audiences on television. I’m delighted that ITV has secured an outstanding selection of games through the tournament, which includes England’s opening game against France as well as a potential peak time group decider against hosts Ukraine.’
‘ITV1 will also be the home of some terrific clashes between the top teams in Europe including Spain v Ireland, Spain v Italy, Portugal v Holland and Ireland v Croatia.’
Philip Bernie, BBC Head of TV Sport commented: ‘The BBC is delighted to be showing the UEFA European Football Championship, a huge football event, which, along with the London Olympics, should ensure a fantastic sporting summer for BBC viewers.’
‘We are very happy with the live matches on BBC1, as they give us a strong climax to the event, with both semi finals, as well as England’s quarter final if they progress. We also have some very appetising group games, including England’s second match, against Sweden, in peak time, Ireland’s final match, against Italy, and heavyweight clashes between Holland and Germany and Germany and Portugal.’
