The Premier League is set to offer an improved live football experience for fans in the United Kingdom with a significant increase in the number of televised matches.
The BBC reports that the number of televised matches in the UK is set to be increased from 200 to around 270 as part of the division’s new bumper broadcast deal.
The latest development, which is expected to take effect in 2025, aligns with the league’s plans to initiate a tender process for the next round of domestic TV rights.
The objective of the auction is to enhance the league’s revenue after the 2018 agreement was extended due to the impact of the 2020 pandemic.
Broadcasters will have the opportunity to bid on five packages of between 42 and 65 games in a four-year deal that will catalyse a substantial increase from the current 200 live matches.
These packages will cover matches scheduled for 12.30 pm and 5.30 pm on Saturdays, 2.00 pm and 4.30 pm on Sundays. It also covers Monday and Friday evening fixtures at 8.00 pm.
However, the traditional 3.00 pm Saturday kick-offs will still not be televised, while all fixtures slated for 2.00 pm on Sundays will be broadcast live for the first time.
The offer to broadcasters bears some similarities to the previous Premier League rights auction but also reflects the evolving market conditions.
The number of live packages available has been streamlined compared to the previous round, where two of the seven packages initially failed to attract offers.
While the extended deal offers broadcasters greater security amidst ongoing turbulence, there is expected to be one added round of midweek fixtures.
The midweek mix will be sold as a block, following on from the model in which Amazon broadcasts all ten Boxing Day fixtures live.
The estimated value of the Premier League’s domestic TV rights under its current three-year deal stands at £5 billion, which has remained relatively unchanged since 2016.
The Premier League executives hope the planned expansion will lead to substantial revenue growth in the coming years.
