Mediaset bids farewell to the free-to-air Champions League with the best match of the season in terms of ratings. The Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madridwhich ended 2-0 for the merengueswas the most watched match of the competition on the frequencies of Mediaset. 5.7 million viewers tuned in to Canale 4, with a share of 31.4 percent. Thus beating Inter-Atletico Madrid for the absolute figure relating to spectators (5.4 million) and Milan-PSG in terms of share (25 percent).
Numbers significantly decreasing compared to 2022/2023. Not only for the final, but in general for the free-to-air Champions League matches, which in 2023/2024 recorded an average of 4.2 million viewers with an average share of 20.5 percent with a decrease of 20 percent for the former and 18 percent for the share. Inevitably, the lack of Italians, who last year reached the final stage of the competition (Napoli in the quarter-finals, Milan in the semi-finals and Inter in the final) weighs heavily.
Thus the Mediaset phase ends. Unlike what happened in recent seasons – when both Biscione and Sky broadcast all the matches of the competition, excluding the Amazon ones, but not exclusively – the rights to the next Champions League, the first edition in the new 36-team format, are in fact they were purchased by Sky, which will exclusively broadcast 185 matches out of a total of 203, including the final. The remaining will be the prerogative, until 2027, of Prime Videowhich will broadcast the best race of Wednesday.
It remains to be seen whether the competition will also be available free-to-air. As AGCOM clarified, free-to-air broadcasting is only mandatory for the semi-finals and finals of the Champions League and Europa League, “if Italian teams are involved”. Sky could therefore opt to reserve the other matches for season ticket holders only. It is probable, however, that at least one match a week will be broadcast free-to-air on TV8.