In a major development for football fans, the Premier League has announced a new four-year deal that will see Sky Sports broadcast a record number of matches starting from the 2025-26 season. The agreement guarantees a minimum of 215 live games per season, with Sky Sports securing the rights to packages B, C, D, and E.

Under the new deal, Sky Sports will show over 140 weekend fixtures, as well as Friday and Monday evening clashes. Additionally, they will provide full coverage of three midweek match rounds. This extensive coverage means that all matches occurring outside the traditional Saturday 3pm blackout, including those moved to Sunday 2pm due to European competitions, will be broadcast live.

One significant highlight of the deal is that Sky Sports will now broadcast all 10 matches on the final day of each season, creating an exciting viewing experience for football enthusiasts. Furthermore, multiple live matches will be available on numerous weekends at 2pm on Sundays.

TNT Sports, formerly known as BT Sport, has also secured a live rights package (Package A) offering exclusive coverage of 52 matches per season. This includes matches played on Saturdays at 12:30pm and complete coverage of two midweek match rounds.

BBC Sport has secured the rights for highlights, ensuring coverage for all 380 matches each season. The agreement also includes additional digital rights for the BBC's online platforms, ensuring the continuation of their popular 'Match of the Day' program.

However, in a shift from the previous agreement, Amazon Prime Video has not retained the rights for the new domestic cycle, which will extend until the conclusion of the 2028-29 campaign. The Premier League's announced agreements, collectively valued at £6.7 billion, are expected to inject financial certainty into professional football clubs until at least 2029.

Richard Masters, Premier League chief executive, expressed his delight at the new deals with Sky Sports and TNT Sports, emphasizing their track record of delivering world-class coverage and programming. Masters believes that these agreements will drive more people to watch and follow the Premier League, building on the record audiences and attendances witnessed in recent seasons.

The financial aspect of the deal, valued at around a 4% annual increase in total value compared to the previous cycle, is significant in the current landscape of domestic sports deals. While it may not be a double-digit increase, the Premier League remains in a favorable position compared to other leagues and sports.

The context of international rights growth is also important, as the Premier League has experienced significant success in this area. It is worth noting that the new deal focuses solely on domestic rights, with overseas rights negotiated separately.

Overall, the deal showcases a significant increase in live matches on Sky Sports, with up to 100 additional games per season. This represents a 70% increase in the number of games shown exclusively live on the network.

While Amazon Prime Video did not secure any rights this time around, it previously had a successful partnership with the Premier League, showing 20 games per season. The absence of smaller packages in the current deal suggests that Amazon chose not to compete with Sky Sports and TNT Sports.

As for other potential bidders, DAZN's approach appears uncertain, indicating that they may not be able to afford Premier League live rights in the UK. Similarly, Viaplay's overseas expansion plans have been scaled back, and Netflix has yet to venture into live sports coverage of this scale.

The Premier League's new deal with Sky Sports and TNT Sports, coupled with the extension of its partnership with BBC Sport, highlights the strength of the league and the continued popularity of football in the UK. The announcement reflects the commitment of the Premier League, clubs, players, managers, and dedicated supporters who contribute to its unmatched competitiveness and vibrant atmosphere.

In conclusion, the new four-year deal between the Premier League, Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and BBC Sport marks a milestone in broadcasting rights, ensuring more live matches for fans and injecting financial stability into professional football until at least 2029.