Manchester United take full ownership of MUTV

22 January 2013 | Posted in Broadcast, Soccer, Europe | By Eoin Connolly

English soccer club Manchester United have bought BSkyB's stake in Manchester United Television (MUTV).

The Premier League leaders' acquisition of the satellite broadcaster's one-third minority share means that they are now 100 per cent owners of MUTV. The in-house television channel, now available in 57 countries worldwide, was launched as a three-way joint venture in 1998 with British commercial broadcaster ITV holding the other stake before selling to Manchester United in November 2007.

The deal is believed to be worth UK£10 million, UK£3 million more than Chelsea paid to take a stake in its in-house channel back from BSkyB last year.

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Richard Arnold, the Manchester United commercial director, said: "The acquisition of Sky’s stake is great news for all our fans who watch us around the globe, MUTV, its staff and the club. We look forward to continuing to enhance our media proposition and distribution capabilities in the years to come, and delivering some of the best and most compelling content to our 659 million followers." 

Despite a 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Manchester United remain five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with 23 games played.

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