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CBS Acquires Serie A Rights In US For Next Three Years

So long, ESPN+. Hello, Paramount+.

In this photo illustration, a CBS logo seen displayed on a... Photo Illustration by Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Since nothing else important happened in the world of Fiorentina today, it’s a good time to tell US-based Viola fans that Serie A has a new home in the States. Following a three-year deal with ESPN, Calcio is coming to CBS for a reported 64 million euros ($75 million) per season for the next three years. This will include Coppa Italia games as well.

One thing to note is that the majority of these games will stream on the recently launched Paramount+. A lot of users stateside will be pretty familiar with this platform given they are the current rights holders for the Europa and Champions League. Playing in Europe is something Fiorentina can only dream of doing these days.

This move is another example of Serie A continuing to grow its presence in America. A lot of that has to do with the fact that six clubs are owned by North Americans; AC Milan, Roma, Fiorentina, Parma, Spezia, and Bologna. That, coupled with the heavy Italian-American population, shows why Serie A is trying to expand its footprint in the US.

This is the latest in a series of moves by CBS to slowly corner the soccer market in the US on both the Men and Women’s front. Serie A will join the Champions League, Europa League, NWSL, Brasileirāo and Argentine Primera División. Additionally, Paramount+ will air CONCACAF Men’s and Women’s World Cup qualifiers, except USA and Mexico home matches.

Overall Paramount+ isn’t as easy to navigate as the ESPN interface, but they do have Peter Drury so that’s a huge plus. As long as we don’t have to hear the ESPNFC crew disrespect Calcio anymore I think this is a welcome change. My advice to CBS is to bring back Paul Visca and Marco Palmieri, that is the real dream team.

US-based fans, are you happy with this move? Let me know below!