20/09 18:00 ESPN Maritimo v Newcastle
20/09 20:05 ESPN Inter v Rubin Kazan

It's a shame that ITV won the rights! at least with C5, we would watch the games in HD without the need of Sky subscription.

If they don't care enough about the games and just show them online, why bid in the first place?

All games can be found online if wanted anyway so who cares about itv.com?

Main benefit is to watch it in HD on telly but clearly ITV can't manage it!

Where does it say they'll just be shown online? It says big matches will be on ITV1 and other matches on ITV4.

I think it's possible that more matches will be available in HD for most people than when it was on Channel 5, since ITV1 HD is on Freeview and Freesat too whereas Channel 5 HD is only available to Sky, Virgin or FSFS customers.

I hope ITV haven't got thier hopes up too high regarding Liverpool in Europe - they won't qualify from the group stages unless something unexpected happens (I speak as a supporter).

You got this one wrong, read what it says;

ITV will show most of its matches on digital channel ITV4 but any games featuring UK teams from the quarter-finals onwards will be shown on ITV1

There will be less matches available in HD, as ITV 1 HD will only show them from quarter finals onwards!

with 5HD group mathces didn't require subscriptions for HD but it does now.

Yes but you still needed FSFS to watch Channel 5 HD. There must be far more people with Freesat HD or Freeview HD than with FSFS, who can now watch some matches on ITV1 HD but before couldn't watch any of Channel 5's matches in HD.

If only ITV1 HD was the choosen channel but there will be far more people who won't be able to watch group games in HD this year than last year.

I have Freeview HD and Sky HD but if and when I cancel Sky, I don't need to buy Freesat HD as my box does the same thing, however, only difference this year is that those ex sky customers or those with Sky HD box & card won't be able watch the group games in HD.

I am sure there are many many thousands of Sky HD boxes with ex sub cards in them who lose out this year until if and when English teams make the quarter final.

I detect a pattern developing here

Week Two 4 Oct 2012

18.00 Panathinaikos - Tottenham ITV 4

20.05 Liverpool - Udinese ITV 4
20:05 Newcastle - Bordeaux ESPN

You can see where ITV are coming from though, Liverpool have a much bigger UK-wide fanbase than Newcastle. Have to feel sorry for Newcastle fans without ESPN though

At least we get the first 2 picks on ITV. Before C5 had first pick and then it alternated between ITV and ESPN.

When ITV had the Champions League exclusively usually the main networked game on ITV1 was Manchester United and Newcastle was on ITV2 however Tyne Tees always opted out to show Newcastle and it was the same with Yorkshire when Leeds had that one season in the Champions League while the other regions showed Manchester United. Though after 2001 shockingly Granada never opted out of networked Arsenal or Chelsea games to show Manchester United or Liverpool games.

I'd expect just as many Man Utd "fans" live in the area.

Anywhere where I can get in play clips of the other games now that channel 5 are no longer showing the matches

Itv.com for the ITV games, ESPN.com for the ESPN games,and UEFA.com for all the others.

Week Two 4 Oct 2012

18.00 Panathinaikos - Tottenham ITV 4
18.00 Rosenberg - Bayer Leverkusen ESPN

20.05 Liverpool - Udinese ITV 4
20:05 Newcastle - Bordeaux ESPN

Well our teams are treating this competitio with the usual contempt but at least the broadcasters still care!

And to be fair, Newcastle's group is pretty dull, no Lazio or Anzhi tie to hype up.

Guess what this is all a bit tedious


Week Three 25 Oct 2012

18.00 Maribor - Tottenham ITV 4

20.05 Liverpool - Anzhi ITV 4
20:05 Newcastle - Club Bruges ESPN

If only the games were at 17:00, 19:00 & 21:00 and ITV had ALL the rights?

Bit unfair on Newcastle
but I'm a Spurs fan and happy with how it's been so far.

If Sky had rights no doubt they would all be available on Sky Sports 2/3/4 HD.

If only Sky had a 5th HD Channel also.

Judging by the amount of ads ESPN are running on North East radio, in the press and at the stadium I imagine they are doing alright out of being Newcastle's broadcaster

The other game being shown by ESPN on Thursday 25th October is Panathinaikos v Tottenham at 6pm.

Spurs are playing Maribor away, on ITV4...

I think you mean Panathinaikos v Lazio.

Whoops! That's exactly what I meant, slip of the tongue.

Would have preferred Lyon-Bilbao...

ITV's website is advertising Anji v Liverpool and Spurs v Maribor on Matchday 4, 8th November. Looks like Brugge v Newcastle is consigned to ESPN again.

The times seem to be wrong on the website though: