SKY SPORTS were claiming victory in the latest Premier League TV rights deal — forking out nearly £2million LESS per match.
They increased their stranglehold in the next three-year contract which starts in 2019-20. Sky will pay £9.3m per game, compared to £11.05m under the current deal.
For the first time since 2004, Prem chiefs saw their total income from domestic deals drop, with the 160 games allocated costing £4.464billion, compared to the £5.14b for 168 games in the current package.
But that shortfall will be made up with the next wave of international deals for the four biggest markets — the USA, China, Brazil and South Africa.
The final two packages, — two blocks of 20 midweek and Bank Holiday matches — will be announced in the coming days, with tech giants such as Amazon, Facebook, Twitter or Netflix possibly aiming for a foothold in the market.
Yet it was clear that Sky were celebrating — believing they paid less for more, while BT ended up splashing out more for less.
Sky have paid a total of £3.579bn for their four packages, including the prime Sunday afternoon and lunchtime package, Saturday tea-time — and the new Saturday evening slot that will see eight games played at 7.45pm.
Sky have also secured all 34 ‘first picks’, letting them choose the best match every weekend.
ON THE BOX Premier League TV rights: Sky Sports and BT to show 160 matches a season in new £4.46bn deal
BT, by contrast, have seen the cost of their 32 games — all scheduled for the 12.30pm Saturday lunchtime slot — go up to £9.22m per match, compared to £7.62m for 42 games now. It means BT are paying 21 per cent more per game.
They also have fewer games and are losing all 12 of their ‘first picks’, while Sky have paid 16 per cent less per match.
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While BT retain full rights to the Champions League and Europa League, Sky have recently renewed deals for the EFL as well as domestic cricket and Formula One coverage.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: “We are extremely pleased BT and Sky continue to view the Premier League and our clubs as such an important part of their offering.
“Both of the broadcasters are fantastic partners for the Premier League and have a track record of making our competition available to fans across the country through their high-quality, innovative programming.
“To have achieved this investment with two packages of live rights remaining to sell is an outcome that is testament to the excellent football competition delivered by the clubs.”
Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis was in upbeat mood.
He said: “We will have 128 live matches a season from next year — more than ever before — including the key head- to-heads in the best slots and analysis from the biggest football names.
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