In a year marked by significant deals, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has made three major moves that will bring live sports to TV screens free of charge. The corporation is set to broadcast an array of live sports across 2026, with Italian football being one of the highlights.
The news that BBC will air Italian football until the end of the season comes as a relief for football fans who have been spending heavily on streaming services. The deal allows BBC to broadcast eight Serie A matches between now and season-end. This agreement sees games sub-licensed from DAZN by BBC Alba, kicking off with Bologna's 2-1 win over Torino.
This free-to-air football deal is particularly beneficial for Scottish fans eager to follow their international stars based in Italy ahead of this summer’s World Cup. Notable among these players is former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, currently playing for Serie A Champions Napoli. Other Scottish players in Serie A include Che Adams, Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour, Lennon Miller, Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie.
Extending coverage
In addition to bringing Serie A action into homes across Britain, the Beeb has also extended its rights agreement for England’s Netball Super League (NSL).
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, said:
"Championing women’s sport matters to us and bringing the NSL to BBC iPlayer puts it in front of more people than ever, free-to-air. It’s fast, physical and uncompromising, and we’ll be there every week, right at the heart of it."
Earlier this year in January, the broadcaster unveiled another landmark deal - a partnership with YouTube which enables them produce content for the video streaming service. This content includes a mix of entertainment genres such as documentaries children's channels news and sport starting with the ongoing Winter Olympics being held in Milan and Cortina. The BBC is showcasing hours of action from this Italy-based event.
These three deals mark a significant shift in the broadcasting landscape, making top-flight sports more accessible to fans across Britain. By bringing Serie A football, England’s Netball Super League and a variety of content on YouTube to viewers free-of-charge, the BBC continues its commitment to providing high-quality sports coverage for all.
