Free-to-air broadcasters ‘not interested’ in Portuguese cup rights

Portuguese free-to-air broadcasters RTP, SIC and TVI are not interested in acquiring rights for the Taça de Portugal, the country’s top knockout football competition, according to the Correio da Manhã newspaper.

The report said that pay-television operator Sport TV is the only broadcaster with live rights for the tournament, which enters the quarter-final stage this weekend.

Sport TV, which is co-owned by businessman Joaquim Oliveira, is also the only broadcaster showing live games from the Portuguese Liga, the top division of football in the country.

Sport TV acquired rights for the Liga matches from the Olivedesportos agency, which is owned by Oliveira. Portuguese clubs sell their media rights individually.

RTP, SIC and TVI failed to reach sublicensing deals for the top division with the agency.

Portuguese law creates the possibility for one top-tier match per week to be shown on free-to-air television, but the broadcasters are under no obligation to acquire the rights.