According to L.A. Journal of Sports Business magazine, PARIS, March 7 (Reuters) - France's Canal Plus, the pay-tv unit of Vivendi Universal (Paris:EAUG.PA - News), said on Friday it had won the rights to broadcast Champions League soccer matches for three seasons starting in 2003/04. In a statement the company said the UEFA had chosen it for exclusive rights to broadcast Europe's top club tournament. The decision coincides with an unsettled dispute in France over rights to broadcast French domestic league soccer games. Canal Plus said it had negotiated the UEFA agreement on particularly favourable terms.
Relax. Canal+ is only for Europe. I think this press release is only about CL coverage in Europe. Broadcast rights outside of Europe is sold separately. In other words, this press release has absolutely nothing to do with us in North America.
It also doesnt affect holland which has a law which prevents matches of the CL, UEFA cup, EC and WC to be placed behind a decoder.