Tottenham vs Liverpool Champions League final to be streamed on social media for free by BT Sport

BT Sport are expected to stream the Champions League final free on social media, despite the all-English clash representing a golden opportunity to boost subscriptions.

The broadcaster has not finalised its coverage plans but is set to honour previous promises to air the final for free in order to make the action widely accessible.

It is likely that the final on June 1 will be made available on BT Sport’s YouTube platform, website and app in addition to one of its TV channels, as has been the case in recent years.

Viewing figures for this week’s blockbuster semi-finals have struggled to get close to major sporting events on terrestrial television, with an average of just 1.7million watching Liverpool’s stunning comeback against Barcelona, climbing to a peak of 2.8m.

This was similar to the number that watched the thriller between Tottenham and Ajax on Wednesday night, which peaked at 2.6m and had an average of 1.5m.

It is not possible to gather data for how many people watched on BT Sport’s app or website, but sources suggested the two semi-finals had attracted record digital audiences.

When announcing the £1.2bn exclusive rights deal in 2017, BT made the pledge: ‘BT will enhance its social media coverage to reach new audiences, by making clips, weekly highlights, UEFA’s magazine show, and both finals available for free on social media’.

Details of coverage for the final are due to be confirmed next week by BT Sport.

An average of just 1.7million viewers watched Liverpool’s stunning comeback vs Barcelona

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s dramatic comeback against Ajax was watched by an average of 1.5m