Manchester United buys Sky’s stake in MUTV

MANCHESTER United has taken full control of its in-house television station MUTV.

The club has bought out BSkyB’s 33.3% stake in the channel for an undisclosed sum. The satellite broadcaster was one of the original joint venture investors in 1998 when MUTV was launched with the club and ITV.

In a statement Manchester United said: “This latest acquisition is a natural
progression and is indicative of the club’s desire to have full control of the
content generating and distribution capabilities across all of its businesses.”

MUTV is available in 57 countries around the world. It is accessed in the UK and Ireland by subscription on satellite and cable platforms; and in the rest of the world through a combination of subscription or as programming blocks purchased by international broadcasters.

Commercial director Richard Arnold said: “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.

“Sky has been an active and highly-valued partner since the channel’s
inception and has helped to build the best and most watched club football
channel in the world. We will continue to have a close relationship with Sky in the future.”

MUTV employs around 60 staff and currently operates from offices in central Manchester, a studio at the Carrington training ground and from facilities at Old Trafford.