Sky and TNT Sports retain UK Premier League rights
DECEMBER 4, 2023 18.08 EUROPE/LONDON BY JULIAN CLOVER

Sky will broadcast all 10 matches on the final day of the Premier League season under a new agreement announced Monday. The Premier League has also concluded four year deals with the other existing rights holders TNT Sports and BBC Sport.

All three agreements will cover the four-year period starting Season 2025/26 and are the largest sports media rights deals ever concluded in the UK.

The near rollover of contracts will be a blow to streamer DAZN, but will be met with relief from fans fearful that an increase in rights holders would require another subscription.

Amazon, which currently holds rights to midweek packages, declined to make a bid.

Richard Masters, Premier League Chief Executive, said: “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.

“As longstanding 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.

Sky Sports has been awarded live rights packages B, C, D and E, covering a minimum of 215 live matches per season, which will include more than 140 matches played at weekends, evening matches on Fridays and Mondays, and full coverage of three midweek match rounds.

Sky will screen 100 more matches than under the present arrangements. “Dana Strong, Group CEO, Sky said: “This is a fantastic result for Sky customers, who will see a significant increase in the number of matches from the most iconic league in the world. We are proud of our long history with the Premier League and look forward to delivering more engagement, entertainment, and innovation to the end of the decade.”

“Sky is the undisputed home for sport fans in the UK. Our customers have more of the sports they love and more long-term certainty than ever before, with an unrivalled volume of domestic football, alongside Formula 1, cricket, golf, rugby league, tennis and much more.”

TNT Sports has been awarded live rights package A, covering 52 live matches per season, including exclusive coverage of matches played on Saturdays at 12.30pm and full coverage of two midweek match rounds.

The Midweek games are under the present rights round with Amazon Prime Video.

Andrew Georgiou, President and MD, UK & Ireland and WBD Sports Europe said; “It’s hugely exciting to continue to bring fans exclusive Premier League matches for the next five seasons. TNT Sports has quickly established itself as a premium live sport offering and the Premier League is an important part of our line-up that includes the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Women’s Champions League, UEFA Europa League, MotoGP, boxing, NBA, UFC, Premiership Rugby, Champions Cup and much more.”

As had been widely anticipated, all matches taking place outside of the Saturday 3pm “closed period”, including those displaced to Sunday 2pm because of club participation in European competitions, will be broadcast live.

The Premier League and the English Football League have traditionally held onto the 3pm slot in a bid to protect smaller clubs.

BBC Sport has been awarded highlights rights for all 380 Premier League matches each season, with additional digital rights for the BBC’s online platforms. It means the continuation of the long-running highlights show Match of the Day.

The Packages
Package A

Total matches: 52 (18 second picks; 14 fourth picks; all 20 matches as part of 4th and 5th midweek rounds)
Matches per club: maximum six; minimum one
Primary kick-off time: 32 matches at Saturday 12.30

Package B

Total matches: 50* (14 first picks; 18 fifth picks; approximately 6-10 rescheduled matches but not at Sunday 14.00)
Matches per club: maximum six; minimum one
Primary kick-off time: 32 matches at Saturday 17.30

Package C

Total matches: 66* (14 second picks; 18 fourth picks; 30-38 rescheduled matches at Sunday 14.00)
Matches per club: maximum five; minimum one
Primary kick-off time: 32 matches at Sunday 14.00

Package D

Total matches: 44* (18 first picks; 13 third picks; up to two Round 37; all 10 Final Round)
Matches per club: maximum five; minimum one
Kick-off times: 32 matches at Sunday 16.30

Package E

Total matches: 58 (18 third picks; 14 fifth picks; all 20 matches as part of 1st and 2nd midweek rounds; six additional matches)
Matches per club: maximum five; minimum one
Kick-off times: 32 matches on Monday/Friday evenings
TNT Sports retains Premier League rights