The Premier League has urged clubs to grant broadcasters access to film inside dressing rooms and conduct in-game player interviews as part of live coverage starting next season.
With a new £6.7 billion domestic television deal over four years kicking off in August, Sky Sports and TNT Sports are pushing for greater access.
According to the Guardian, the league is backing their requests and has already started consulting with clubs about granting enhanced access to rights holders.
However, the division’s bid may not progress smoothly, with several clubs firmly opposing the idea of allowing broadcasters a peek into what many elite managers consider their ‘inner sanctum’.
It’s also worth noting that the traditional ‘Big Six’ are against this proposition because they remain hellbent on saving behind-the-scenes content for their club channels.
Top clubs use these materials to market to their fans and increase commercial advantage, so their resistance comes naturally, even though it could prove counterproductive in the long run.
Dressing-room footage is of particular interest to Premier League broadcasters, but it’s also the main sticking point, although they’re in a strong bargaining position.
The value of future TV rights deals will likely depend on the league’s ability to convince clubs to agree to these new terms, as any potential failure to strike an agreement could result in a substantial decline.
While the new TV deal for the next cycle has brought additional value, it’s only because the league agreed to offer 70 more live games each season over a four-year period.
At the same time, the price per game has notably decreased from £10.19 million between 2016-17 and 2018-19 to £6.2m over the next four years.
Overseas TV rights are still on an upward trajectory, with the Premier League’s contracts between 2025 and 2028 worth £6.5bn.
However, foreign rights holders, particularly NBC in the United States, have increased their demands, putting the league in a precarious position.
