PREM clubs will tomorrow discuss cutting the Pay Per View charge to under a tenner.
But not until AFTER next month’s international break.
Fans have been outraged at having to pay £14.95 to watch their teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Top flight clubs have faced a fan backlash, fuelled by MPs, and branded ‘greedy’ for the £14.95 per game charge.
Despite that, SunSport understands the League is to announce the five matches scheduled for the weekend of November 7 and 8 which have not already been moved for live TV screening will be shown on PPV at the current price.
Those matches include Arsenal versus Aston Villa and Spurs’ trip to West Brom, both of which will be switched to the Sunday because of Europa League exertions.
But with the pushback against the match charge causing discomfort, the clubs will be asked to consider a change in pricing policy when the Prem resumes after the break on the weekend of November 21.
A new price of £9.95 per match is likely to be proposed as one option, with a growing sense that matching the cost of iFollow games in the EFL might be more acceptable to fans.
The fall-out, which saw Commons criticism from Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, has caused frustration among the Prem clubs who point out that these matches would not normally have been shown at all under the existing TV contracts with Sky and BT Sport.
Prem chiefs are due to confirm the next set of PPV games after today’s virtual meeting of the 20 “shareholder” clubs with a final decision on future policy expected to come in two weeks’ time.
The clubs are also still at odds over how to split the revenues from the PPV games that have already been played or are scheduled – although League bosses have so far not revealed any viewing figures.
Man United’s trip to Newcastle was broadcast via PPVCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Some clubs believe all 20 should be recipients of any money raised – broadcast costs per match required 7,000 subscriptions to cover the outlay – while others argue that it should be divided proportionately only between the teams whose games were screened.
However, a third group feel that revenues should be split only between the two clubs involved in the game while there is an issue over whether any of the cash might be used to help cash-strapped lower division EFL sides.
The issue is one of several likely to cause dissent at today’s meeting, where Liverpool and Manchester United are expected to push for a clear line on the terms of reference for the structural review promised by League chief executive Richard Masters in response to the Project Big Picture furore.
Liverpool and United were forced to accept the issues would be considered by all 20 clubs rather than a select panel but are determined to ensure that proposals such as reducing to 18 sides and changes in TV revenue splits and voting rules are explicitly in the review remit.
Masters promised the review would be completed ‘by the end of the year’ ensuring a tight timescale which will require prompt action, despite the opposition of those who blocked the plans two weeks ago.
But there is likely to be agreement between the clubs that they should push on with a confrontation with the FA over post-Brexit transfer rules for overseas players set to be required in the January transfer window.
Oliver Dowden is among those to have criticised the PPV matchesCredit: Reuters
Premier League matches will cost £14.95 on PPV Box Office channels with Man Utd and Chelsea games among first clashes
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
