Proving their dominance over global soccer fans, BBC and ITV together win the broadcasting rights again for the FIFA world cups to be held in 2018 and 2022. It has actually been more than seven decades old relationship between FIFA and two biggest UK broadcasters enjoying billions of fans across the world especially in central Europe. If we look at the percentage of peoples who used their network to watch or listen 2010 South African world cup finals, more than 75 percent of the English pollution accepted to have used any of these two networks. According to the current deal, both of them would have exclusive rights across TV, radio, and online to broadcast finals of the next two FIFA events. However, it is still not clear how much amount they have paid for the exclusive rights, but according to close sources amount paid this time is more than any previous deal signed by the BBC. This is again a good news for English fans coz all the matches would be aired as free within English domicile making its reach larger than ever.
Apart from the money element, it is also going to be a good news for sponsors who have already signed deals with these two giants for several years in advance as this would enable them to use their platforms to market their products and services. Being a free to air broadcast, more and more fans are expected to use these services than other paid ones which in turn would bring more exposure for the advertisers and raining money for both ITV and BBC.
On this occasion, ITV director of sports, Niall Sloane, said, “The excitement building on the eve of this summer’s tournament in Brazil demonstrates how the World Cup offers a shared, collective experience for people across the UK. So we’re thrilled to be able to look forward to bringing the next two World Cups free to air to viewers in 2018 and 2022.”
Similarly, BBC sporting director Barbara Slater is also happy to extend their relations with soccer supreme body, he added, “We are delighted to have secured the rights to one of the biggest sporting events in the world. It is fantastic news that the pinnacle event in world football will continue to be available free of charge for everyone in the UK.
“As we prepare for kick-off in Brazil we hope viewers at home will enjoy watching it as much as we will look forward to broadcasting it.”