UEFA launches free-to-air OTT platform

European football governing body UEFA has launched its new OTT streaming platform.

UEFA TV, which the organisation claims is the first of its kind, will offer original programming based on 60 years of European football archive.

It will also become the home of youth, women’s and futsal UEFA competitions by offering them a wide live coverage in relevant markets.

The platform will also offer a wide range of behind the scene content, interviews and a wide range of additional content.

UEFA TV will be free-to-view following registration, and will offer live UEFA competition matches when there is no rights-holder in the territory where they are living.

UEFA says that UEFA TV is a complementary service to existing TV channels rather than a competing one. The body suggests that the platform could be used by UEFA’s 55 federations to increase their global reach and visibility.

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said: “The digital landscape is evolving and we need to be in a position where we can anticipate and respond to these changes. UEFA is an innovative organisation and by introducing this platform, we will be making football and our competitions more accessible to supporters around the world.

The German Bundesliga will be the first national league represented on the platform. UEFA and the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) have entered into a partnership that provides for a separate channel on the streaming platform with videos from the Bundesliga in addition to European competitions.

This service will be available from the unspecified launch, and will include Monday highlights of weekend matches and shows such as the “Bundesliga Special”, aligned especially to the interests of international fans.

Čeferin continued: “Our partnership with the Bundesliga is yet another example of the unity of European football and clearly demonstrates our desire to address future opportunities together for the promotion of our sport.”

“Media use is changing constantly,” said DFL CEO Christian Seifert. “UEFA’s new streaming service is a very timely step to reach football fans around the world, especially younger target groups.”

“The DFL has consistently backed and initiated technological and media innovations ever since it was founded. “We are therefore delighted to be the first national league partner in this project, which will allow us to get even more people around the world excited about the Bundesliga in the future.”

The Bundesliga content on UEFA.tv will be available in major European markets such as the UK, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain and Turkey as well as the Middle East and Africa from the start.