CBS Sports has officially announced the launch of a new broadcasting channel dedicated solely to the UEFA Champions League. Named 'Champions League,' this channel will provide fans with 24/7 access to highlights from the prestigious competition, including unforgettable moments from throughout its history.
Starting April 26, 'Champions League' will be available for free on Pluto TV. This free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service was initially launched as a website in 2014 and later became part of the CBS/Viacom family in 2019 following a $340 million deal. The media conglomerate also includes CBS Sports and Paramount under its umbrella.
In addition to Pluto TV, soccer enthusiasts can access the Champions League channel through connected TV devices via the CBS Sports app. From May onwards, users can find this channel on mobile through the CBS Sports app and CBSSports.com, as well as Paramount+.
Live matches remain exclusive to Paramount+
While this new venture offers extensive coverage of highlights and memorable moments from past tournaments, live matches of UEFA Champions League will not be available on this free platform. These games remain exclusive to Paramount+ for now.
CBS Sports exec, Jeffrey Gerttula, said:
“UEFA Champions League represents the absolute best soccer in the world,
and this new channel delivers fans an always-on venue to relive the
special moments, sensational goals, iconic players, and storied clubs that
define this one-of-a-kind tournament,”“CBS Sports is the 24/7 home for soccer fans in this country, and we’re
excited for this latest addition to our industry-leading multiplatform
soccer coverage.”
CBS Sports first acquired English-language rights to broadcast Europe's top football tournament in 2020. Since then, it has become one of the most entertaining sports broadcasting avenues thanks largely to securing rights for such high-profile competitions like Champions League and featuring popular figures like Kate Abdo, Thierry Henry, and Micah Richards.
The Golazo Network has tapped the US football market
The success story doesn't end there; since its launch in 2023, The CBS Sports Golazo Network has been immensely successful too. This free soccer streaming network cum social media platform quickly rose among ranks becoming one of America's top soccer media brands with over 4.2 billion video views last year alone.
The announcement of the free Champions League highlight channel comes on the heels of CBS Sports revealing record viewership for the competition last week. The quarterfinal matches between Real Madrid vs Manchester City and Bayern Munich–Arsenal set new records, becoming the most-watched Champions League quarterfinals ever on U.S. television.
The Real Madrid vs Manchester City match alone attracted 1.11 million viewers, peaking at 1.58 million people - a record in American broadcasting history for a Champions League quarterfinal game. These impressive figures represented a 25% increase compared to last season’s quarterfinal fixtures. Pluto TV currently offers an extensive range of sports-related shows, including the aforementioned Golazo Network, all available free of charge.
