The new deal is worth £195 million – a 26% drop on the current deal with Sky Sports and the BBC – and will see Sky Sports extend its live coverage of the npower Football League, Carling Cup and Johnstone's Paint Trophy through to 2015. In announcing the deal, the League also stressed it is engaged in ongoing discussions with broadcasters regarding free-to-air match highlights.
Under the terms of the deal, Sky Sports will air 75 matches from the Football League, the post-season play-offs, 15 matches from the Carling Cup and at least three games from the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy live every season. The agreement, which also comprises highlights and clips, encompasses television, broadband internet, video-on-demand and mobile services.
“Sky Sports is a highly-valued partner of the Football League and we are delighted to extend our relationship for a further three seasons,” said Football League chairman Greg Clarke. “They are a class act and our clubs will welcome their continued support.”
Clarke added: “This has been a challenging climate in which to negotiate television rights, given the state of the economy and the lack of competitive tension in the sports broadcasting market.”
Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis added: “Sky Sports has had a long and successful partnership with the Football League. We have seen the growth of attendances, the huge success of the Play-Offs and some wonderful Carling Cup Finals. This new deal will extend the relationship to 2015 and will take us beyond our 1,000th live Football League game.”
