Sky Sports will televise 328 Championship matches per season as part of their new five-year broadcasting agreement with the EFL.
A new record domestic rights deal has been agreed and that will see more live EFL matches than ever before, starting from the 2024/25 season and running until 2028/29.
Blackburn Rovers stand to take a slice of a guaranteed payment of £895m and £40m in marketing benefits. However, it comes at a cost with more fixtures set to be moved outside the Saturday 3pm slot.
With Article 48, more widely known as the '3pm blackout', set to remain in place, fans will see more games moved. To combat this, Sky say they 'will introduce a new commitment for clubs and fans which will provide longer notice periods on TV selections', though there are no specific details on what that will look like.
READ MORE: Manager's transfer hope over Rovers loanees
All opening, final day, and midweek fixtures in the Sky Bet EFL will be shown live, as will all games played on Bank Holidays including Easter, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. This will replace the 'red button' option or midweek domestic iFollow options.
Sky say 'the EFL will be investing significantly in production infrastructure to enhance the viewing experience' with a minimum of four cameras to be used at all streamed matches in the Championship.
In summary, Sky Sports will be showing a minimum of 328 Championship matches per season, working out at around 7 per matchday on average, though midweek games will reduce that figure. There will be 248 from League One and League Two as well.
EFL Chief Executive Trevor Birch said: "The EFL is an iconic sports property and one of the biggest and best-attended Leagues in European football. This increased investment and coverage from Sky Sports will showcase much more of our compelling match action to fans, while delivering record rights values as we seek to make our clubs sustainable at all levels.
"For decades, Sky Sports has been a fantastic broadcast partner for both the EFL and English football, helping our sport grow through its sustained support, so we are delighted to announce this innovative agreement that combines the strength of an established brand with a modern streaming service for the benefit of EFL clubs, fans and Sky Sports alike."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel