GET SET FOR WILD PREM WEEKENDS
It’s TV heaven for fans with feast of footie on way
PREMIER LEAGUE games will return with a TV bonanza for armchair viewers.
The action-packed plan is to show five matches live back-to-back on Saturdays, then the same on Sundays.
Kick-offs are set to be staggered each day, with games at noon, then 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm .
The Premier League plan is to get the majority of the remaining 92 games shown over the course of weekends to complete the fixture list, which would mean the season runs into August.
But there is also a push from broadcasters to show
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games midweek in a Champions League-style double header format which could see them kick off at 6pm and 8pm.
The fixture list will be discussed at tomorrow’s Premier League meeting, along with TV schedules.
They want to find a balance between finishing the season quickly and spreading out games for TV and to avoid injuries.
Clubs want to fulfil the broadcasting demands as they face paying back £340m to TV companies even if the season is completed and £762m if it is not.
The Premier League will try to keep live rights holders Sky, BT Sport and Amazon happy.
While the Government have urged the Premier
League to make games free-to-air on terrestrial TV, the idea of BBC and ITV getting live games is unlikely to go down well with Sky and BT.
They have the live rights to 47 games, the remaining 45 – which would all be shown by foreign rights holders – would be shared with Sky getting 32, BT eight, and five going to Amazon and the BBC.
Sky and BT Sport will be anxious to ensure that any subscribers who paused or cancelled during the coronavirus would return with the lure of a live football bonanza.
The Football Association will also be determined to play out the FA Cup with all games set to be shown live. Most of them could be played behind closed doors at Wembley.