The Premier League has reached an unprecedented domestic television rights agreement valued at £6.7 billion, assigning broadcasting rights to Sky and TNT, enabling them to televise up to 270 live matches per season.
The deal also confirms that the BBC will continue to broadcast highlights through their program “Match of the Day.”
This remarkable four-year deal, commencing from the 2025-26 season, stands as the “largest sports media rights deal ever concluded in the UK,” according to the Premier League. While the traditional Saturday 3:00 pm blackout will persist, every 2:00 pm Sunday kick-off will now be televised.
The BBC’s agreement encompasses MOTD2, Football Focus, and additional digital rights for online platforms. Sky, in securing four of the five packages, will broadcast a minimum of 215 matches each season, including Saturday 5:30 pm and Sunday 2:00 pm and 4:30 pm fixtures, alongside Monday and Friday evening matches and three midweek rounds.
TNT will air at least 52 matches annually
TNT, on the other hand, will air at least 52 matches annually, including all 12:30 pm Saturday kick-offs and two midweek rounds. Sky Sports will also feature all 10 matches on the final day of each season.
Notably, Amazon, which currently holds rights to broadcast 20 matches per season, did not secure rights in this new agreement.
This marks the first time the Premier League has undergone a tender process for its rights since 2018. The previous £5 billion domestic TV rights deal, covering three seasons and set to expire at the end of 2024-25, was extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Premier League asserts that this new agreement, one year longer than the previous deal, represents a 4% increase in live rights value, offering “financial certainty for clubs throughout professional football until at least 2029.”
Sky is set to broadcast over 100 additional matches each season
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters commented, “The outcome of this process underlines the strength of the Premier League and is testament to our clubs, players, and managers who continue to deliver the world’s most competitive football in full stadiums, and to supporters, who create an unrivaled atmosphere every week.”
Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, expressed her delight, saying, “Match of the Day remains enduringly popular with audiences, and this new agreement with the Premier League is brilliant news for football fans all over the UK.”
Sky is set to broadcast over 100 additional matches each season, with Chief Executive Dana Strong stating their commitment to delivering more engagement, entertainment, and innovation throughout the decade.
Analysis suggests that the Premier League expects further revenue growth in the medium term from the overseas market. Despite the increased number of games and slightly higher financials in this deal, the league anticipates that additional growth will come from international broadcast rights.
Amazon did not secure rights in this agreement
The announcement underscores Sky’s prominent position as the primary Premier League broadcasting partner, maintains TNT’s involvement and enhances digital content for BBC Sport. This is part of BBC Sport’s broader strategy, which includes showing highlights of the Champions League.
The emergence of streaming platforms as major players in the weekly content market is still evolving. Amazon, which previously screened 10 matches, did not secure rights in this agreement. The Premier League decided to include its five midweek rounds within existing packages, rather than selling them individually, as done in the 2018 negotiations.
The Premier League has confirmed its intention to broadcast all Sunday 2:00 pm matches, most of which involve clubs participating in the Europa League or Europa Conference League the previous Thursday. There is no significant shift to Saturday or Sunday night fixtures, as feared. However, some weekend matches from the packages do not have designated time slots, leaving their scheduling open.
TNT retaining the 12:30 pm Saturday kick-off slot suggests that Sky will continue to screen EFL matches during that time. Nevertheless, there is no additional space created for the Women’s Super League, prompting suggestions that it might benefit from utilizing the 3:00 pm ‘blackout’ slot, as seen in Italy where two matches are regularly scheduled at different times on Fridays and Mondays.
