Australian first as Optus Sport extends UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League coverage through YouTube and Twitter

Optus Sport, the exclusive home of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) and UEFA Europa League (UEL) in Australia, is kicking off the year with trialling an innovative new digital arrangement to extend its football coverage to give fans the chance to watch selected Optus Sport matches via Twitter and YouTube.

The arrangement will see Optus Sport transmit a total of 10 matches between February and April 2019 on the Optus Sport channels through the social media platforms.

This will include six live UEL matches on Twitter and four live UCL matches on YouTube, starting with the live broadcast of Tottenham against Dortmund in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on the Optus Sport YouTube channel.

“These exciting collaborations with YouTube and Twitter mark a major opportunity to leverage the world’s biggest international club competitions and amplify our incredible live programming of these tournaments,” Optus’ Head of TV and Content Corin Dimopoulos said.

Mr Dimopoulos added while similar types of partnerships have been rolled out overseas, it is the first time that regular competitive football matches will be made available this way in Australia.

“Optus Sport is illustrating continued innovation by opening our Optus Sport broadcasts through our YouTube and Twitter channels,” he said.

“We will continue to showcase our exceptional live productions and at-ground presence which we have successfully delivered since securing the rights of these two competitions this season.

“This is a terrific digital partnership with two great platforms to provide fans of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League an opportunity to enjoy our content.”

The two separate arrangements will run from February 2019 through to April 2019 as follows:
• UEFA Champions League: Optus Sport YouTube channel - two games from round of 16 phase and two games from the Quarter-finals transmitted live
• UEFA Europa League: Optus Sport Twitter page - two games from round of 32, two games from round of 16 phase, and two games from the Quarter-finals transmitted live

“Football is one of the biggest drivers of conversation on Twitter in Australia, so we're excited to collaborate with Optus Sport to bring these live matches from the UEFA Europa League to Twitter,” says Olly Wilton, Twitter Australia Head of Sports Partnerships.

“Passionate football fans will need to look no further than Optus Sport and Twitter to keep up to date with what is happening during the knockout phase.”

YouTube Australia Sports Partnerships Lead Andrew Peterson said, "Over the past six months, Optus Sport has done a fantastic job establishing its YouTube channel as the home for European football highlights. We're thrilled to be working with the team at Optus to continue evolving their strategy and to bring selected live UEFA Champions League games to Aussie audiences on YouTube for the first time.”

Optus Sport games available live on Optus Sport Twitter page and Optus Sport YouTube channel broadcast schedule (10 games in total):

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 on Optus Sport YouTube channel
1. Tottenham v Dortmund 14 February 7am AEDT
2. Real Madrid v Ajax March 6 7am AEDT

UEFA Europa League Round of 32 on Optus Sport Twitter page
3. Malmo v Chelsea 15 February 7am AEDT
4. Valencia v Celtic 22 February 4.55am AEDT

UEFA Europa League Round of 16 on Optus Sport Twitter page
5. One game 8 March*
6. One game 15 March*

UEFA Champions League Quarter-finals on Optus Sport YouTube channel
7. One game 10/11 April*
8. One game 17/18 April*

UEFA Europa League Quarter-finals on Optus Sport Twitter page
9. One Game 12 April*
10. One Game 19 April*
*Games and times to be announced post draw

About Optus Sport

Optus Sport is the only place to watch the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League exclusively live, while also being the home of every match of the Premier League and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

All the Optus Sport action can be viewed on the big-screen via Fetch, Apple TV, Apple Airplay, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV or Xbox, or on-the-go via tablets, mobile, desktop or laptop.

Optus Sport is available as an optional extra on eligible Optus plans for no extra cost. Non-Optus customers and Optus customers who are ineligible for a monthly subscription at no added cost may subscribe to Optus Sport for $14.99 per month.

UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League

The knockout phase for the UEFA Champions League kicks off on Wednesday February 13, with a mouth-watering set of fixtures on Optus Sport featuring some of Europe’s most famous clubs.

Back-to-back-to-back holders Real Madrid face a talented Ajax side, while Premier League powerhouse Manchester United, rejuvenated since Jose Mourinho’s departure, face Paris Saint-Germain, who will be missing Neymar, the world’s most expensive player, because of injury.

The Europa League features seven national champions but lots of eyes will be on Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal.

Optus Sport talent including Mark Schwarzer and Ned Zelic will be covering the matches from pitchside in Europe, while Richard Bayliss and Michael Bridges will be assessing all the action from the studio.

Media contact:
Tara White
Optus Corporate Affairs
(02) 8082 7850
media@optus.com.au