TV row over training clips

BROADCASTERS want Premier League clubs to provide them with weekly highlights from training in a move that has ramped up tensions with the top flight. Premier League Productions have requested that sides send them five-minute compilations from sessions which will then be aired to a global audience via the likes of Sky and BT. But the proposals are facing resistance before they have even been discussed and potentially voted on at the league’s summer summit. There is rising frustration among TV partners that clubs — who often post behind-the-scenes training clips of incidents such as wonder goals — are keeping content for themselves despite the huge amounts broadcasters spend on rights deals. Currently, 15 minutes per month are collected from training and handed out to broadcasters. But the networks feel that is not enough and they want a five-minute package every week. ‘There’s a bit of jealousy,’ a source explained. ‘The view from the broadcaster is that they spend millions upon millions but end up missing out on some of the best stuff. However, the clubs feel that they only get to film behind-the-scenes content because they have the trust of the players and the staff.’ It is thought most of the resistance to the request will come from the Big Six clubs. Some use such clips as part of lucrative commercial deals with separate partners. Under the proposals, PLP would send a camera operator to training sessions or the club would retain control of what is shared by filming themselves and deciding what to send out. The meeting takes place in Harrogate later this month.