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      in Soccer

      Premier League ‘ready to DITCH Sky Sports and BT Sport and show football in new way in dramatic shake-up’

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      THE Premier League are ready to ditch Sky Sports and BT Sport in a huge shake-up to football broadcasting, reports claim. Sky Sports have been at the centre of the Premier League since its inception in 1992 and have helped fuel the huge financial boom that has made England’s top-flight the richest division in the world.
      Sky Sports have dominated the Premier League TV landscape since 1992Credit: Getty
      While BT have become an increasingly bigger player in recent years and boast Champions League football among plenty of other packages.
      But when it comes to domestic football, the broadcasting world could be on the brink of change.
      The Mirror report that the Premier League are prepared to leave behind their traditional broadcasters and show games on their own platform.
      If this change were to happen, it would not be immediate.
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      The current TV deal runs until 2025 after a £5.1bn deal was signed in 2021.
      The Mirror claim that only one more multi-year deal might be signed before the Prem “cut out the middle men”.
      It would be a radical change to broadcasting with fans currently having to fork out on multiple subscriptions to follow all the live games.
      Sky normally show four or five games across a weekend while BT Sport have Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
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      Meanwhile Amazon in recent years have had one or two full rounds of fixtures during the Christmas period where they show every game live.
      Reports have also suggested that channels like Disney and DAZN could try and get involved in Premier League broadcasting.
      Broadcasters still have to fit their scheduling around England’s 3pm blackout and the Premier League would also have to do this unless rule changes were introduced.
      If the league were to take control of the broadcast deal, it would also give them more control over kick-off times.
      Fans have expressed frustration in recent years over asocial kick off times that supporters have had to put up with to satisfy TV schedules.
      And Kevin Miles, chief executive of the Football Supporters Association, said footy followers are also under the cosh over the money paid to watch football on TV.
      BT Sport currently show the Saturday lunchtime Premier League game every weekCredit: Reuters
      He told the Mirror: “There’s no question that supporters are increasingly feeling the financial strain.
      “We’re not untouched by the general cost of living crisis but the more platforms there are, the more subscriptions we have to find.
      “For those fans who want to watch everyone of the club’s televised games the costs are really starting to mount.”
      The reports come as Sky Sports make huge cutbacks on their output with iconic shows like Soccer AM getting the axe.
      Read More on The Sun
      Meanwhile, BT Sport have also been making changes with their Saturday Score programme set to be scrapped.
      The channel is also set to get rebranded next season. More

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      Who is Jules Breach and what football team does she support?

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      BT Sport’s Score football show on Saturday afternoons is set to be axed at the end of the season.SunSport understands that from next season the popular show will be replaced with rugby coverage.
      Channel 4 Sport pundit Steven Gerrard (left) and presenter Jules BreachCredit: PA
      Channel 4 Sport pundits Jill Scott, Steven Gerrard, Jules Breach, Joe Cole and Andriy ShevchenkoCredit: PA
      It comes with the TNT rebrand which will see BT Sport and Euro Sport merge.
      Breach is the lead presenter of Score and is often joined on air by former Premier League stars Chirs Sutton and Robbie Savage.
      Who is Jules Breach?
      The 36-year-old was born in Brighton but also spent time in the Caribbean during her childhood.
      After her birth, she moved to Mauritius until she was five before coming back to England to attend Primary School in Portslade.
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      Channel 4 Presenter Jules BreachCredit: ALAMY
      Following her time at Primary School on the South Coast, she moved to the Caribbean from the age of eight up until she was fifteen.
      She is a football presenter who has worked for some of the biggest names in the industry.
      The presenter has been employed by the likes of ITV, BT Sport, Premier League Productions and CBS.
      Breach was a regular with talkSPORT for live events while also having her own preview show on Friday nights.
      Most read in Football
      She also now has the lead role at Channel 4 as part of their coverage of England matches.
      When she acquired the role she said: “Watching England games as a little girl with my dad is what made me fall in love with the beautiful game, so it is an absolute honour to be presenting the coverage on England’s new home for football – Channel 4!”
      “We are so excited to bring fun, fresh energy to England’s upcoming matches that reflects the young, inspiring Three Lions squad we have all dared to dream with!”
      Which football team does Jules Breach support?
      Breach is a devoted Brighton fan and is often seen celebrating in the studio when the Seagulls score.
      She also regularly attends games at the Amex when she isn’t presenting the Saturday afternoon football show.
      The TV star started watching the Seagulls during the days when they played their home games at the Withdean.
      She will be delighted to see how far her side has come as they are currently on the cusp of the illustrious Champions League spots. More

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      in Soccer

      BT Sport scrapping hugely popular show and top presenters could face axe as they join rivals Sky in cuts

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      BT SPORT is scrapping its popular Score football show on Saturday afternoons.From next season the channel will replace the seven-year-old programme, which is presented by Jules Breach and Darrell Currie, with new coverage as it rebrands as TNT after being taken over.
      Jules Breach presents the Score football showCredit: Rex
      Darrell Currie is Jules’ co-presenter on Score
      Regular pundit Chris Sutton has been informed of the decision to discontinue the showCredit: Getty
      Robbie Savage also features regularlyCredit: Getty
      The show can attract one million viewersCredit: BT Sport
      On-screen stars – including Chris Sutton and Robbie Savage – have been told of the shock move.
      But anger has brewed after production staff working behind the scenes have not been put on formal notice.
      SunSport understands a number of production crew could face the axe including on-screen talent as part of the new joint venture between BT and Warner Bros Discovery.
      A spokesperson for Warner Bros Discovery Sports said: “Editorial reviews are undertaken as a matter of course in preparation for every new season.

      “For next season, this includes considering the programming that will continue, as the channel becomes TNT Sports, and as part of the line-up supporting the same live sport fans enjoy on BT Sport today.
      “As part of this process, we have confirmed to staff that BT Sport Score will not be continuing next season.”
      A source told The Sun : “It was very awkward on set because the on-screen presenters were aware that Score has been kicked into touch next season.
      “Everyone is in shock because Score has held its own and established itself against rival Saturday afternoon broadcasts on Sky Sports and BBC One.”
      Most read in Football
      Prem clashes on Saturday lunchtime on BT Sport can attract around one million viewers – with the majority continuing to tune in for Score as goals go in around the country.
      The changes to programming come as the new joint venture is busy deciding on its content for next season and where best to invest.
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      The channel is also switching studios from its current base in Stratford, East London, to a new smaller hub in Stockley Park near Heathrow, west of the capital.
      A source said: “Fans next season enjoying live Premier League games on Saturday lunchtimes are not then going to stick around to watch something else.
      “It’s a strange move to say the least. There is bound to be a clamour for Score’s presenters and in-studio guests, with a lot of celebs on other channels now looking over their shoulder.”

      Presenting roles face a major shake-up as more than 200 employees who moved over to Warner Bros Discovery as part of BT Sports’ joint venture last year were told jobs will be dissolved.
      Gutted workers will have to apply for another job at Warner Bros Discovery if they wish to stay.
      Those who do not find a new role will be given redundancy, and the majority of those at risk are based at BT Sport’s base in Stratford, now that its lease has expired.
      Warner Bros Discovery has stated that new roles have been created by the joint venture, and that BT Sport employees will be given priority for these vacancies.
      Read More on The Sun
      The cancellation of the Score show comes just weeks after Sky Sports announced Soccer AM will be axed at the end of the season.
      The show has run for 30 years but will be cancelled and replaced by Saturday Social, which will focus more on the social media side of football. More

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      in Soccer

      Gabby Agbonlahor slams TV companies for amount of subscriptions needed to watch football after missing match

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      GABBY AGBONLAHOR has hit out at the number of subscriptions fans need to watch football.The former Aston Villa star ranted about TV companies after he was unable to watch Scotland’s 2-0 win over Spain.
      Gabby Agbonlahor has slammed TV companies for the amount of subscriptions needed to watch footballCredit: Twitter / @talkSPORT
      The rant came after he was not able to watch Scotland’s win over SpainCredit: AP
      Manchester United star Scott McTominay netted a brace against the Spanish to give his side a famous win.
      However many were unable to watch the game as it was broadcast on Viaplay, which costs £14.99 a month or £11.99 a month if paid for on a 12-month contract.
      And Agbonlahor was left fuming with this as he went on to moan about the number of subscriptions that are needed in order for fans to tune into games.
      He told talkSPORT: “It was a massive result.
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      “But I didn’t get to watch the game as there are so many channels now, that football is on.
      “You’ve got Viaplay £15, BT Sport £30, Sky Sports £24, Amazon £9.
      “I can’t keep up, I went to put it on and I am like ‘I am not signing up to this channel’.”
      And many fans agreed with the former England international as one commented: “Will only get worse at the end of the next TV rights contracts when the likes of Dazn and Disney and possibly Netflix get involved.”
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      A second wrote: “I’ve never agreed with Gabby more, never even bloody heard of Viaplay until last night.”
      A third said: “Finally, a pundit addressing what most of the football-loving public have a grievance about.”
      A fourth tweeted: “It’s ridiculous to need some sort of regulation on this over a £100 month to watch football.”
      While a fifth added: “Don’t always agree with Gabby but he’s spot on here, the good old days were when footy was on normal telly, and they wonder why people don’t pay.” More

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      in Soccer

      Match of the Day host Gary Lineker wins £4.9million tax battle with HMRC

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      MATCH of the Day host Gary Lineker has won a £4.9million tax battle.HMRC had claimed he should have been classed as an employee of the BBC and BT Sport for presenting duties, rather than as a freelancer.
      Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has won a £4.9million tax battle with HMRCCredit: PA
      The taxman pursued him for £4.9million it said was owed on his income between 2013 and 2018.
      But Gary, 62, insisted all taxes were paid on the income via a partnership set up in 2012 with then-wife Danielle Bux.
      Legislation called IR35 tackles tax avoidance by so-called disguised employees, who charge for services via limited firms.
      But tribunal judge John Brooks found that because Lineker had direct contracts with both the BBC and BT Sport, IR35 did not apply in this case.

      HMRC may appeal.
      It comes amid recent controversy surrounding a tweet from Lineker that the BBC originally deemed to be in breach of their guidelines.
      Lineker took to Twitter to hit out at the Illegal Migration Bill, which bans migrants who arrive on small boats from settling in Britain.
      He tweeted: “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the ’30s, and I’m out of order?”
      Most read in Football
      The comment attracted criticism from MPs and was branded “offensive” by the Home Secretary.
      But bosses later apologised to Lineker and announced he would return to hosting duties. More

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      in Soccer

      Sky Sports and BT Sport face LOSING Premier League TV rights as streaming giants consider bid

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      APPLE are ready to make a move for Premier League TV rights when bidding for the next packages begin, according to reports.Their interest could provide a huge threat to Sky Sports’ and BT Sport’s Prem deals.
      The next Prem TV deal will start in 2025Credit: Getty
      Apple TV have already dipped their toe into the football market.
      They produced a four-part original documentary about the Super League, which released earlier this year.
      While they have also begun a ten-year contract to broadcast MLS globally worth a staggering £200million-a-season.
      The current rights packages owned by Sky Sports, BT Sport and Amazon Prime Video will expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
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      SunSports understands the bidding process will begin towards the end of this year.
      And the new rights will take effect during the start of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
      Sky Sports show around 140 Prem matches per season, with BT Sport owning rights to 50 and Amazon Prime Video broadcasting two complete game weeks, including the Boxing Day fixtures.
      American owners of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea’s Todd Boehly, believe that the £5.1bn over three years earned for global TV rights is less than market value.
      Most read in Football
      Last year Boehly admitted that he hopes the Prem can “learn from US sports” when it comes to earning more revenue – even introducing the idea of an All-Star game, like those seen across the pond.
      He said: “Ultimately I hope the Premier League takes a little bit of a lesson from American sports.
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      “And really starts to figure out, why don’t we do a tournament with the bottom four sports teams, why isn’t there an All-Star game?
      “People are talking about more money for the pyramid; in the MLB All-Star game this year we made $200m (£160m) from a Monday and a Tuesday.
      “So we’re thinking we could do a North versus South All-Star game for the Premier League, for whatever the pyramid needed quite easily.”
      Sky Sports have owned the bulk of Prem TV rights since the league’s launch in 1992 – but now find their dominance under severe threat.
      They have revolutionised coverage in the UK, becoming a huge part of households around the country.
      BT Sport, meanwhile, will be renamed TNT Sports following a merger with Warner Bros Discovery [WBD].
      Read More on The Sun
      Managing director of WBD Sports Europe, Andrew Georgiou, said: “On the next rights auction this is a premium service and our intention is to remain a premium service.
      “Our approach to any rights auction is to make sure we maintain that position in the market.”
      Todd Boehly suggested a Prem All-Star gameCredit: Alamy More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel and undercard for big heavyweight fight

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      JOE JOYCE is back in heavyweight action as he faces Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang next. The Juggernaut hasn’t been in the ring since he dismantled Joseph Parker in 11 rounds back in their September slugfest.
      Joyce is undefeated but is still looking for his first world title shotCredit: Getty
      Zhang has only lost once as a professional against Filip HrgovicCredit: Getty
      Undefeated as a pro and with some beefy names on his resume, Joyce is still looking for his first world title shot.
      And he’s set to wait a little longer as he faces all-action fighter Zhang at the Copper Box in London.
      The winner, however, is expected to be ordered by the WBO to face the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.
      With Zhang standing in Joyce’s way, the Putney man will have to be switched on if he wants to compete for his first world honours as a pro.
      When is Joyce vs Zhang?
      Joyce’s clash with Zhang will take place on Saturday, April 15.
      The main card gets underway from 7pm, with ring-walks for the main event expected at around 10pm UK time.
      Joyce vs Zhang will be held at the Copper Box Arena in London.
      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
      Joyce vs Zhang will be shown live on BT Sport 1 in the UK.
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      You can live stream the action from the BT Sport app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      Joyce vs Zhang full card

      Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang
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      What has been said?
      “He bangs so I will have to watch out for it,” Joyce said. “As Hrgovic and I have a similar style, they had a great fight, so when we fight it should be entertaining.
      “It will be carnage in the centre of the ring! I have lost my temper a few times in sparring and once was against a come-forward southpaw who was trying to knock me out. It was an exciting spar.
      “I think with me and Zhang there will be real heavy punches exchanged and I am sure it will be a good fight.”
      “I am always up for the challenge and when the opportunity rings the bell,” Zhang said.
      “Joe Joyce and I share a lot in common – we both are Olympic silver medalists, both are big punchers, and are nearly the same size. This is going to be an explosive, epic and tremendous fight.” More

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      in Soccer

      ‘They’ve done Michael Owen dirty’ – Fans loving BT Sport’s optical illusion as Peter Crouch towers over ex-Liverpool man

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      FANS were left feeling sorry for Michael Owen as he did punditry alongside Peter Crouch as their height difference came into sharp contrast. The pair were alongside Rio Ferdinand on BT Sport as they watched Liverpool’s ultimately unsuccessful attempt to turn the tie around against Real Madrid.
      Fans were snapping pictures off their TV as they revelled in the apparent height distortion between Peter Crouch and Michael OwenCredit: Twitter
      With the three former players gathered around the interactive tactics board to preview the game, fans noticed the contrasting heights between the pundits.
      The clear difference was not helped by BT Sport’s camera angle, which made the difference appear ever more stark.
      Owen is 5ft 8in while the famously tall Crouch stands at 6ft 7in, and the former appeared to barely come to Crouch’s shoulder height in some shots.
      And with the camera angle exaggerating things, fans could barely contain their glee at what they were seeing.
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      One said: “They’ve done Owen dirty here and I love it.”
      Another ruthless fan asked: “How small is Michael Owen?”
      Sharing the picture on their Twitter account, one viewer added: “Who decided to put Michael Owen next to Crouch?”
      While another said pre-kick off: “The game is not going to be as good as Crouch standing next to Owen.”
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      It ended up being a decent second-leg at the Bernabeu as Liverpool tried in vain to reverse last month’s Anfield mauling.
      With Alisson making some outstanding saves, Real Madrid eventually won 1-0 thanks to Karim Benzema.
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