Brazil’s SBT Network Negotiates Free-TV Broadcasts of Copa Libertadores Until 2022

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Copa Libertadores broadcast could be about to gain a new venue: SBT (Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão) founded and owned by Bolsonaro ally, Silvio Santos. The station is about to close a deal with the CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) to air the South American championship on free-to-air TV until 2022, covering the next three editions of the soccer tournament.

SBT denies that the deal has already been closed, but confirms that it is negotiating with the organization. “SBT was approached, as well as other stations, but nothing has been defined,” it said.

The station would be responsible for broadcasting Wednesday matches, at 9:30 PM (Brasília time). These games were traditionally aired by Rede Globo, the biggest media company in Latin America, which is openly at war with Bolsonaro and terminated its contract with CONMEBOL in early August.

Globo wanted a reduction in the price agreed for airing the championship, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, which CONMEBOL did not accept. The option of a discount for the station could lead to other broadcasting agreements of the organization in Brazil – with Facebook and FOX Sports – having their values reduced.

With the free games package on the market, CONMEBOL sought other stations interested in broadcasting the championship. The most successful negotiation involved SBT, since the station would grant its programming space to the Copa Libertadores sponsors, which Globo has refused to do.

Moreover, the organization took into account the station’s successful experience in soccer matches broadcast this year. In June, the station aired the final of the Carioca Championship, after its contract with Globo was terminated. The broadcasting of the Fla/Flu derby match achieved a good viewer rating, which served as a parameter for CONMEBOL to direct its focus on negotiations with Silvio Santos’ station, that has a significant reach in Brazil.

Negotiations with SBT are expected to be completed by the end of this week. The Libertadores will restart next Tuesday, after some six months of suspension. Only two rounds of the group stage have been played. Among the Brazilian teams, Athletico-PR will be the first club to take to the field, against Jorge Wilstermann, from Bolivia.

Source: Estadão Conteúdo