Pay-television broadcaster Sky Italia has become the new rights-holder of the Uefa Champions League and Europa League club football competitions in Italy.
Sky has secured exclusive live rights to all Champions League and Europa League matches from the 2018-19 season through to 2020-21, replacing Italian broadcaster Mediaset.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Reuters news agency said Sky won the rights with a bid valued at between €260m ($291.3m) and €290m per season.
Mediaset is said to have entered a rival bid worth more than the current €227m it pays for its contract which expires at the end of the 2017-18 season.
Andrea Zappia, Sky Italia chief executive, said: “For the first time ever the Champions League and Europa League will be available together in an exclusive integrated offer that will allow fans to view up to seven Italian teams, more than ever before, competing against the best clubs in Europe.
“We will continue our track record of innovation as we look to launch Sky Q in Italy next year and broadcast the most important games in UHD.”