Portuguese state television broadcaster RTP has bid a reported 18 million euros for the rights to air European Champions League football matches for the next three years, outbidding private rival TVI, which has broadcast the matches for the last three seasons, according to local media reports on Thursday.

A source from RTP told daily newspaper Publico that the figure paid was not as high as the 18 million euros reported in the press noting it was "much less than six million per season."

In a statement issued on Wednesday night RTP said, "The board of directors of RTP knows that the tender for the Champions League is still underway. We find it strange, however that, on an anonymous basis, a supposed victory has been attributed to RTP."

Helena Forjaz, the spokeswoman for Media Capital, which owns the TVI station, said that the broadcaster had yet to receive official confirmation from UEFA about who had been awarded the rights. Based on the reports, however, she said "the figures are absurd," as they "are 40 percent more than was offered by TVI."

Forjaz also accused RTP of "market distortion" and noted it would be almost impossible for the state broadcaster to make a return on its investment.

Revenues from broadcasting the Champions League matches come from advertising and any potential sponsorship of the programs. RTP, as the public broadcaster, is allowed six minutes of advertising per hour whilst TVI can show 12 minutes per hour. This makes it more difficult for the state TV station to get a return on its investment. Endite

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