Sky and BT will screen additional Premier League fixtures on a pay-per-view basis after the Premier League agreed it would continue to make all matches available to fans until at least the end of October.
Plans to re-open sports stadiums to fans were put on hold after a rise in Covid-19 cases in the UK.
Under the new arrangements, the current live match selections will remain in place and will be broadcast as normal.
In addition, the five matches per round not already selected will be made available to supporters on a pay-per-view basis, accessed via BT Sport Box Office and Sky Sports Box Office platforms.
Under the plans the majority of revenues from pay-per-view would go directly to the clubs unable to receive normal match day revenues because of the ‘behind closed doors’ policy.
Sky said each match will cost £14.95 in the UK, €16.95 in the Republic of Ireland. Matchday Five will feature live coverage of Newcastle United v Manchester United, Leicester City v Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion v Burnley.“The Premier League has come to this decision with its clubs to provide a service for supporters who are no longer to able attend and to generate matchday revenue. We are happy to support them with this interim solution – and we share their desire to get fans back into grounds as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Sky Sports managing director Rob Webster.
BT has also confirmed it will charge £14.95 for a Premier League game, which it’s making available to all fans via BT Sport Box Office, non BT Sport subscribers will be able to access these games.
Previously, broadcasters had benefitted from additional matches, over and above their standard contracts, including the BBC that had been able to show live Premier League football for the first time since the League’s inception.
In a statement, the Premier League said it had worked closely with both Sky and BT and was “grateful” for its support.
