General Sky Sports EFL Deal

[beyondthefourth]

Now TV has different levels of subscription, the basic tv for channels like Sky Atlantic is maybe £10, but Sky Sports is £35

NowTV does offer sports packages at different times of the year. Usually about February/March, they offer 12 month subscriptions for £20pm. That might go up with the new EFL channel added to the package.

 

[Northstandboy]

NowTV does offer sports packages at different times of the year. Usually about February/March, they offer 12 month subscriptions for £20pm. That might go up with the new EFL channel added to the package.

Or do as I said above, sign up then cancel before renewal.

I I used to have Now TV and often got Cinema, kids and enter for half price when I went though cancellation process.

 

[beyondthefourth]

Or do as I said above, sign up then cancel before renewal.

I I used to have Now TV and often got Cinema, kids and enter for half price when I went though cancellation process.

Yeah, they do often have good offers when you say you'll cancel. I'm just letting people when the best month is to lump in on for a longer term deal.

 

[Underfaker]

Sky sports on Now tv online have an offer of £26 a month if you sign up for 6 months if its any use to anyone.

 

[West Oxon U’s]

Curious if you intentionally wrote the first sentence in Dutch-English (Dunglish?), Malc, or if that's just how your brain functions these days!?

I've not heard anything.

I am now assuming, based on what I've read, that any game being shown on Sky will be shown on Paramount+ here in the US, and will then not be available to any successor to iFollow (don't know if there's a broadcaster in the Netherlands picking up the expanded EFL coverage?) So that's going to include the Norwich and Coventry games.

But by the time the Blackburn game comes round on the 24th, I'm rather hoping that they will have sorted something out and we'll be able to subscribe to watch. Ideally with the RadOx commentary team. Like you, I've gotten very used to watching every game online with Jerome and Nathan to guide me, so I will be pretty pissed off if the service regresses just as we get to the Championship.

Bristol City will soon be launching Robins TV and will have a monthly package of £25 or £10 pay as you go for overseas fans to stream games (that have not been selected for international TV coverage). If you subscribe before the end of July there is a £140 annual season video pass.

City launch new Robins TV matchday streaming service - Bristol City FC

City launch new Robins TV matchday streaming service ahead of the 2024/2025 season, with next week's pre-season friendlies to be streamed.

www.bcfc.co.uk

 

[Malc]

I would suscribe to that. @West Oxon U’s

 

[Northstandboy]

Cross posting

 

[Lost Marbles]

From EFL website:

• By November 1, selections shall be made in respect of all matches to be played between the end of the third round proper of the FA Cup and the first weekend of March.

Sky have missed their own deadline again.

 

[Manorlounger]

From EFL website:

• By November 1, selections shall be made in respect of all matches to be played between the end of the third round proper of the FA Cup and the first weekend of March.

Sky have missed their own deadline again.

Ah but, do they have to tell us? That's the question. Maybe they want to keep it as a surprise?

 

[MarkG]

From EFL website:

• By November 1, selections shall be made in respect of all matches to be played between the end of the third round proper of the FA Cup and the first weekend of March.

Sky have missed their own deadline again.

Saturday games between FAC 3R and end of March
HOME
Blackburn
Bristol City
Pompey
AWAY
Stoke
Burnley / FA Cup 4th Round
WBA
TUESDAY games
HOME Luton
AWAY Derby

One thing I've noticed is that Sky tend to move around three Saturday games to a 12:30 kick off, one or none to a Sunday 3pm, or one to a Friday night. Quite rare to have a weekend kick off after 5pm.

 

[Northstandboy]

Saturday games between FAC 3R and end of March
HOME
Blackburn
Bristol City
Pompey
AWAY
Stoke
Burnley / FA Cup 4th Round
WBA
TUESDAY games
HOME Luton
AWAY Derby

One thing I've noticed is that Sky tend to move around three Saturday games to a 12:30 kick off, one or none to a Sunday 3pm, or one to a Friday night. Quite rare to have a weekend kick off after 5pm.

I could see our games against Pompey and WBA get moved

 

[FAB Admin]

From EFL website:

• By November 1, selections shall be made in respect of all matches to be played between the end of the third round proper of the FA Cup and the first weekend of March.

Sky have missed their own deadline again.

They have apparently made their selections, have informed the EFL. Police now reviewing.

Their terms state
By November 1, selections shall be made in respect of all matches to be played between the end of the third round proper of the FA Cup and the first weekend of March, with the announcement of these picks to be made later in the month.

For fans we really want to know asap so that we can plan our matchdays.

 

[CaptainOx]

From EFL website:

• By November 1, selections shall be made in respect of all matches to be played between the end of the third round proper of the FA Cup and the first weekend of March.

Sky have missed their own deadline again.

They haven't. The selections have been made. Just not publicised yet, due in the next couple of weeks.

Selections being made and them being publicised are two different things.

1st November deadline is for Sky to make their selections and suggest the dates/times they want them to be then they discuss with the EFL/clubs/police/other parties on the final schedule. Once all in agreement, they'll inform clubs and publish.

 

[holdsteady]

When will the next/final batch of games be announced then?

 

[Manorlounger]

They have apparently made their selections, have informed the EFL. Police now reviewing.

Their terms state
By November 1, selections shall be made in respect of all matches to be played between the end of the third round proper of the FA Cup and the first weekend of March, with the announcement of these picks to be made later in the month.

For fans we really want to know asap so that we can plan our matchdays.

So, in effect there is a deadline for Sky to choose but, no deadline to inform the paying supporters. A woolly "later in the month". It's not really good enough. Transport to be arranged, accommodation to be booked, time off work etc. Is there any other form of entertainment that tolerates such behaviour?

 

[FAB Admin]

After this batch the notice for the end of the season will be less, so bear in mind when planning.
"Selections for matches scheduled after the first weekend in March will be made on a four-week rolling basis starting from February 1 (e.g. a selection for the first weekend in April will be selected in the first weekend in March)."

 

[Lost Marbles]

They have apparently made their selections, have informed the EFL. Police now reviewing.

Their terms state
By November 1, selections shall be made in respect of all matches to be played between the end of the third round proper of the FA Cup and the first weekend of March, with the announcement of these picks to be made later in the month.

For fans we really want to know asap so that we can plan our matchdays.

Below is the entire section from the Q&A page on the EFL website. Seriously misleading, at best - as well as using the word "notice" throughout, it says; This is almost six month’s notice provided to fans and Clubs. By selecting TV picks early and giving much more notice, fans will be able to plan with certainty when making travel and hotel arrangements.

But it turns out they're not telling the fans at the times they've stated...

TV pick notice​

How much notice will be provided for the selection of live TV games?​

• Sky Sports and the EFL will make good on a landmark new commitment for clubs and fans which will provide longer notice periods on TV selections.
• The notice periods for selections are as follows:
  • Within seven days of the 2024/25 Fixture Release selections shall be made in respect of all matches to be played before the end of September.
  • Before the start of the season, selections shall be made in respect of all matches scheduled to be played prior to the end of the third round of the FA Cup (January 2025).
  • By November 1, selections shall be made in respect of all matches to be played between the end of the third round proper of the FA Cup and the first weekend of March.
  • Selections for matches scheduled after the first weekend in March will be made on a four-week rolling basis starting from February 1 (e.g. a selection for the first weekend in April will be selected in the first weekend in March).
• This is almost six month’s notice provided to fans and Clubs, a significant increase on the current deal, which sees five weeks' notice given across the majority of the season.
• By selecting TV picks early and giving much more notice, fans will be able to plan with certainty when making travel and hotel arrangements.

 

[FAB Admin]

Below is the entire section from the Q&A page on the EFL website. Seriously misleading, at best - as well as using the word "notice" throughout, it says; This is almost six month’s notice provided to fans and Clubs. By selecting TV picks early and giving much more notice, fans will be able to plan with certainty when making travel and hotel arrangements.

But it turns out they're not telling the fans at the times they've stated...

The headline 6 month notice is not achieved by any of their notice periods.

 

[Lost Marbles]

The headline 6 month notice is not achieved by any of their notice periods.

Yes, just counted and the max is around five, which isn't even "almost 6 months."

It's clearly a load of spin, when the league regulator should be stating facts.

However, that's not my issue. The problem I have with it is the fact they've mentioned exact dates - they should have either kept it vague or added on some time for the authorities to collude, ie. said "by the end of November" instead of 1st November.

 

[CaptainOx]

So, in effect there is a deadline for Sky to choose but, no deadline to inform the paying supporters. A woolly "later in the month". It's not really good enough. Transport to be arranged, accommodation to be booked, time off work etc. Is there any other form of entertainment that tolerates such behaviour?

We'll get around 2 months notice to the earliest game in the batch that is due to be announced and more than 2 months for those through to 1st March.

FA Cup 3rd Round weekend is 11th January and all league games up to then are locked.
First match of the next batch for us is currently scheduled to be 18th January.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

So, in effect there is a deadline for Sky to choose but, no deadline to inform the paying supporters. A woolly "later in the month". It's not really good enough. Transport to be arranged, accommodation to be booked, time off work etc. Is there any other form of entertainment that tolerates such behaviour?

What I’d like to know is do Sky take into account travel for away fans, eg can they get to and from games via train/public transport?

The obvious answer is no but why not? Surely the FSA can push for such things to be taken into account.
There was a game when Chelsea I think it was, played away at Man United and the game finished after the last train back to London.

 

[OUFCGav]

What I’d like to know is do Sky take into account travel for away fans, eg can they get to and from games via train/public transport?

The obvious answer is no but why not? Surely the FSA can push for such things to be taken into account.
There was a game when Chelsea I think it was, played away at Man United and the game finished after the last train back to London.

given the head of the EFL has said that longer midweek trips are a deliberate thing, I don't think we can just blame Sky.
"It is a deliberate act - but the reason for it is to ensure we get bigger crowds at weekends rather than lower crowds in the midweek."

 

[Steve Gilbert]

given the head of the EFL has said that longer midweek trips are a deliberate thing, I don't think we can just blame Sky.
"It is a deliberate act - but the reason for it is to ensure we get bigger crowds at weekends rather than lower crowds in the midweek."

So they ensure there are higher costs to clubs and yet less income for those games?!
I actually enjoy a longer away day out on a Saturday as you have a whole day to visit somewhere that you wouldn’t usually ever go to.

 

[OUFCGav]

So they ensure there are higher costs to clubs and yet less income for those games?!
I actually enjoy a longer away day out on a Saturday as you have a whole day to visit somewhere that you wouldn’t usually ever go to.

this is how little those in charge of our league understand their customer base.

 

[holdsteady]

It’s been policy for a few years now, I assume with the clubs approval. Can see some logic in it and prefer the London, Bristol etc big day out games on a Saturday.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

It’s been policy for a few years now, I assume with the clubs approval. Can see some logic in it and prefer the London, Bristol etc big day out games on a Saturday.

We have Pompey, Coventry, West Brom, Bristol City and Luton who are all games easy to get to on a mid week game that we would take a big following to.
How many are we likely to take to Hull and Sheff U on a Tuesday night? 500/600 fans? On a Saturday we would take 1000+. It is not only a disadvantage to the away team but also a disadvantage to the home from an income perspective. This is in a time where every pound counts for a football club.

You only have to see the ticket sells for both home and away fans for our game tomorrow night to show that it isn’t beneficial.

 

[holdsteady]

We have Pompey, Coventry, West Brom, Bristol City and Luton who are all games easy to get to on a mid week game that we would take a big following to.
How many are we likely to take to Hull and Sheff U on a Tuesday night? 500/600 fans? On a Saturday we would take 1000+. It is not only a disadvantage to the away team but also a disadvantage to the home from an income perspective. This is in a time where every pound counts for a football club.

You only have to see the ticket sells for both home and away fans for our game tomorrow night to show that it isn’t beneficial.

If you think the majority of our fans would rather have Bristol City on a Tuesday night away and Hull on a Saturday that’s an interesting take, I am pretty certain we take more to Bristol City when it’s on a Saturday than when it’s on a Tuesday.

It doesn’t matter so much in this league but when we were in league one Accrington at home on a Tuesday or Saturday probably only dropped the away attendance by about 50, whereas it might be 400 for some other clubs so I can see the logic in it.

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

There should just be fewer midweek games full stop, IMHO.

There are 40+ weekends from August to early May. By the time you add in Bank Holidays (Boxing Day, 2x Easter Weekend) you'd barely need a couple of midweek games to get to 46 - and you could stick these in August and September when players are fresher and the weather (and travelling) easier.

Just need to do away with pointless and boring international football, at all levels ideally. Or just play through international 'breaks'.

Farcical to play just 7 League games across August and September. Yet from November 23rd to January 4th we'll be playing 11.
Too much on the fans, let alone the players.

We could and should have had a game on August 3rd, on September 7th, on October 12th, on November 16th. That'd be the Derby and Hull home games - plus QPR and Sheffield United away - back on a weekend.

But no, let's congest the season, send us to Bramall Lane on a Tuesday - so that we can all enjoy England U20s vs their Moldovan counterparts at Sincil Bank. Get tae f*ck.

 

[werthersoriginal]

There should just be fewer midweek games full stop, IMHO.

There are 40+ weekends from August to early May. By the time you add in Bank Holidays (Boxing Day, 2x Easter Weekend) you'd barely need a couple of midweek games to get to 46 - and you could stick these in August and September when players are fresher and the weather (and travelling) easier.

Just need to do away with pointless and boring international football, at all levels ideally. Or just play through international 'breaks'.

Farcical to play just 7 League games across August and September. Yet from November 23rd to January 4th we'll be playing 11.
Too much on the fans, let alone the players.

We could and should have had a game on August 3rd, on September 7th, on October 12th, on November 16th. That'd be the Derby and Hull home games - plus QPR and Sheffield United away - back on a weekend.

But no, let's congest the season, send us to Bramall Lane on a Tuesday - so that we can all enjoy England U20s vs their Moldovan counterparts at Sincil Bank. Get tae f*ck.

True, but I really like evening games. PL can have international breaks but the rest of us can just get on with it. However the season should start a bit later, first week in August is far too early.

 

[SSO]

I think we could have less congestion by having a PL of 20 teams and then 4 more divisions in EFL of 20 in each. L1 and L2
already play a minimum of 8 league games more plus 2 Cup games in early rounds plus tinpot Cup.

Championship clubs play 8 more league games and at least one league cup game more than unsuccessful PL teams. The international breaks are a pain. The Nations League has about as much appeal as the Papa Johns trophy. Get rid of it.