Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal in a titanic 120-minute Champions League final on Saturday evening - and millions of fans allegedly tuned in via illegal means throughout the evening
Champions League
The Champions League final was broadcast on TNT in the UK(Image: Getty Images)
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The Champions League final was reportedly watched by 3.7million people in the UK via illegal streams after Sir Keir Starmer’s plea was ignored. Arsenal took on French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the European football’s showpiece on Saturday evening.
It was heartbreak for the Gunners as they slipped to a penalty shootout defeat following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of football - Kai Havertz and Ousmane Dembele scoring the goals.
It was the first time in history that the final itself was locked behind a paywall, with TNT Sports holding exclusive broadcasting rights in the UK. But it appears that supporters found other means to tune in.
According to analysis by The Guardian, illegal streams received 3.7m unique views in the UK throughout the game, while it's believed that number could be significantly higher.
Those numbers are in comparison to TNT’s own audience share. It has been revealed that the channel boasted viewing figures of around 7m, peaking their audience at around 26.6 per cent of the viewing population.
“This year’s three European club finals were watched by over 13 million viewers across TNT Sports and HBO Max," a spokesperson for TNT Sports said. "The UEFA Champions League final performed strongly in the UK, reaching more than 7 million people and delivering TNT Sports’ 2nd highest ever share of total TV audience - consistent with Manchester City vs Inter Milan from three seasons ago. Across the season, UEFA club competitions attracted larger audiences on TNT Sports with average audiences up 5 per cent compared to last season.”
The viewing figures come after TNT chose not to make the game free-to-watch despite an appeal from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He sent a letter to the channel in an effort to get the game on free-to-air television. Starmer wrote: "The Champions League is the biggest club football competition in the world and rightly means a lot to fans in this country - the home of football.
"I am a firm believer that the final of this competition should remain free to watch, whether Arsenal have made it or not. Obviously, I want as many fellow fans as possible to be able to watch our team in this historic final for the first time in 20 years.
Sir Keir Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer asked for the Champions League final to be free-to-watch(Image: Getty Images)
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"However, this is bigger than that. This is about supporters of all teams coming together in living rooms and pubs in every corner of the country to watch the most elite players in Europe battle it out.
"Hardworking people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude. We should be putting supporters first.
"That is why I have already encouraged FIFA to do more to make tickets more affordable at this summer's World Cup. That is also why I want to strongly urge you to reconsider and make the final next Saturday free to watch for the millions of passionate football fans in this country."
TNT Sports responded in a statement: "We have made all three UEFA finals this year available from just £4.99, the price for a month-long subscription to HBO Max."
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