PREMIER LEAGUE coverage is set to undergo a major shake-up with a further SIXTY games to be aired a season, according to reports.
The lion’s share of Prem matches have, for the last few years, been shared between Sky Sports and BT Sports – with the former having aired them close to three decades.
But Prem chiefs plan to make more matches available in order to “squeeze more money out of broadcasters” at the next domestic auction.
That’s according to The Telegraph, who claim 260 of the season-total 380 matches will available for broadcasters to pick up.
That’s an increase on the 200-a-season currently aired.
The Prem’s current TV rights deal with broadcasters ends in 2025.
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It’s said that “meatier” game packages will be available to Sky and their rivals.
But some TV execs expect the number of packages to be reduced from the seven currently available.
Sky currently dominate the current package split with four – the equivalent of 128 matches per season – to their name.
BT Sport own the coveted 12.30pm kick-offs and midweek packages.
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Despite their imminent rebranding, BT Sport – which will become TNT Sports in the summer – are expected to bid for whatever packages become available.
Amazon owns the package for the Bank Holiday Christmas fixtures and a set of midweek fixtures, but their future in airing Premier League football remains unclear.
The reduction of available packages, in theory, will make it harder for them to continue broadcasting games unless they opt to buy more matches.
While Prem chiefs plan to make more games available for broadcast, there are currently no intentions to scrap the 3pm Saturday blackout.
The decision to make more games available for TV could result in more Premier League games kicking off at untraditional times.
The Premier League resumes action on Saturday, with title-chasing Arsenal’s clash with relegation battlers Southampton being the pick of the fixtures.
A pivotal clash in the race for Champions League football between Newcastle and Tottenham rounds out this weekend’s matches.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
