Premier League clubs will share in an astonishing £5.136 billion windfall after Sky Sports broke the bank to retain the lion’s share of UK television rights.The surge in the value of the contract from 2016 to 2019, which was announced at a press conference today, represented a massive increase on the current £3.018bn deal.Sky Sports kept hold of the prize matches among the seven packages, winning five of them, with BT Sport taking the remaining two.It represents a victory for Sky, the dominant force in football broadcasting since their emergence in the Premier League era in 1992 but who were facing an unprecedented challenge from not only BT but also newcomers such as Discovery Network and beIN Sports.The broadcaster will be satisfied at retaining their position of preeminence, even if it came at a huge cost - the £4.2bn they will pay over the three years represents an eye-watering 83% rise in outlay. In that sense, the Premier League are the day's true winners.Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: “We are looking forward to bringing even more live Premier League football to viewers. Only Sky Sports will have the best match picks and the best slots so our viewers will be able to follow the biggest matches, the key head to heads and every club at least four times. No other broadcaster comes close.“The best Premier League coverage is part of an unrivalled range of sport across our seven channels and digital platforms. This new deal follows our recent success in the rights market, ensuring Sky Sports will be the first choice for years to come.”Sky have paid £4.2bn to secure the rights to 126 matches which will be shown as follows:- 28 matches on Saturday at 12.30pm- 28 matches on Sunday between 1.30pm and 2.15pm- 28 matches on Sunday between 4pm and 4.30pm- 28 matches on Monday at 8pm (max 18) or on Friday between 7.30pm and 8pm (max 10)BT Sport have paid £960m to secure the rights to 42 matches which will be shown as follows:- 28 matches on Saturday at 5.30pm- 6 matches on midweek evenings and 8 matches on SaturdaysJohn Petter, BT Consumer CEO said: “I am pleased we will be showing Premier League football for a further three years and that we have secured the prime Saturday evening slot. These new rights will enhance our existing schedule of football, rugby and other international sport, including all the live footballing action from the UEFA Champions and Europa Leagues starting this summer.Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore, said: “This is an endorsement of what the Barclays Premier League delivers that these broadcast partnerships have been extended and enhanced today. We are grateful for the continued belief that Sky Sports and BT Sport have in the Premier League and our clubs, both as a sporting competition and organisations to work with.“We are also grateful to the significant interest and participation in the process from other highly credible parties.“This outcome provides a degree of certainty so clubs can continue to invest and run themselves in a sustainable manner; it also allows us to start planning how the Premier League can continue to support the rest of the football pyramid from the grassroots upwards.“This structure also allows us to strike a balance between match-attending fans and those who choose to watch on television. Keeping grounds full is a priority for the Premier League and our clubs, and I am sure the flexible ticketing policies that have helped keep attendances so high will continue to develop."
28 matches on Monday at 8pm (max 18) or on Friday between 7.30pm and 8pm (max 10)
Am I reading this bit wrong, or does it mean Friday night games?Quote28 matches on Monday at 8pm (max 18) or on Friday between 7.30pm and 8pm (max 10)
Sky have won a major power battle with BT Sport as the Premier League broadcast rights were sold in a staggering £5.136billion deal - worth over £10m per game.Sky have swept up the majority of the live slots - winning five of the seven package that were on offer. From 2016, Sky will have the Saturday 12.45pm, Sunday 1.30pm, Sunday 4pm, Monday night and new Friday night matches - plus Bank Holiday and other Sunday slots.
Can't see this carrying on for much longer. We should be pocketing a lot of the money ready to 'go again' for when it all falls down like a pack of cards.