BBC and ITV have signed a new deal with FIFA to broadcast the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups exclusively on terrestrial television.
Securing the shared exclusive rights to football’s greatest showpiece into the next decade ensures the BBC and ITV will continue to screen every match to the mainstream UK television audience, as well as encompassing online and radio coverage.
The 2018 finals, to be staged in Russia, will be the 14th consecutive World Cup that BBC and ITV have broadcast together, continuing their long-running and hugely successful broadcast partnership.
Over three quarters of the UK population tuned in watch matches during the last World Cup in South Africa in 2010 and both broadcasters will again screen comprehensive coverage of the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
BBC Director of Sport, Barbara Slater, said: “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.”
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, said: “The excitement building on the eve of this summer’s tournament in Brazil demonstrates how the FIFA 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.”
Niclas Ericson, Director of FIFA TV, said: “FIFA is delighted to continue working with the BBC and ITV in the delivery of our flagship World Cup to audiences in the United Kingdom.
“Football fans in the UK can look forward to enjoying the very best coverage of the World Cup free-to-air for a long time to come.”
WORLD CUP 2014 ON THE BOX – SOTB’S VIEWING GUIDE
.
