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9 months ago
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The Premier League has agreed a new £6.7billion UK rights package that will allow fans to watch every live match outside of the Saturday 3pm blackout.
The deal, that runs for four seasons from 2025-26, is the largest sports media rights contract ever concluded in the UK and represents a four per cent increase on the previous agreement.
Sky Sports will broadcast at least 215 matches per season during this period, including all 10 matches on the final day of the campaign for the first time.
Along with Sky Sports, TNT are set to show 52 matches per season while BBC retain their rights to broadcast highlights over the period.
However, Amazon Prime, who are set to play centre stage for this week's midweek slate, have not secured broadcasting rights from 2025.
Sky Sports will broadcast at least 215 live games across the four-year period, including every match on the final day of the season
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters hailed the new agreement that is worth nearly £7bn over a four-year period
TNT Sports will continue to broadcast 12:30pm kick-offs as well as showing two midweek slates from the 2025-26 league season
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters hailed the new agreement with their 'long-standing and valued partners'.
'We are delighted to announce new deals with Sky Sports and TNT Sports that will extend our partnership for a further four years and see more Premier League matches than ever before shown live from 2025/26 onwards.' He said in a statement on Monday.
'As long-standing and valued partners, Sky Sports and TNT Sports are renowned for consistently delivering world-class coverage and programming. We have enjoyed record audiences and attendances in recent seasons, and we know that their continued innovation will drive more people to watch and follow the Premier League.
'We are also extremely pleased to extend our partnership with BBC Sport, which will continue to bring weekly highlights of all Premier League matches to the widest possible audience in the UK. Match of the Day has been an institution for generations of football fans in this country and remains incredibly popular with fans of all ages.'
The announcement of Amazon's exclusion from the cast of broadcasters comes as a surprise as they prepare to air the first of their three midweek packages this term.
The streaming service is currently paying around £90million for 60 live matches in three seasons staged over the Christmas period, after securing a package ahead of the 2019-20 season.
Amazon is currently paying around £90million for 60 live matches in three seasons staged over the Christmas period
Amazon retained the rights after the Premier League's domestic TV deal was extended by a further three years on the same terms due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Industry insiders told Mail Sport last month that Amazon were effectively given their first set of live rights at a discount by the Premier League six years ago in order to draw them into the market.
According to The Telegraph, Amazon were exploring a bid after being encouraged by the long-term security of a longer-term deal, offering more certainty over production investment.
Masters added: '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 unrivalled atmosphere every week.'
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