BBC And Sky Win Joint Bid To Show Live Football League Matches

The BBC and Sky have won the contract to show Football League and Carling Cup matches from next year in a record £254m deal.

The contract, which lasts to 2012, will see Championship matches screened on the BBC for the first time, with 10 first-choice games per season exclusively live.

The final of the Carling Cup will be simulcast live with Sky, with two semi-final legs shown exclusively live on the BBC.

Roger Mosey, BBC director of sport, said: “We are genuinely excited about the potential of the Football League properties on the BBC.

“Our aim in the three seasons of our agreement is a simple one: to showcase the new acquisitions across all our platforms, and to make our commitment to football deeper and stronger at every level.”

Sky Sports’ broadcast rights include 65 exclusively live matches from the Football League and the Football League play-offs – including all three finals – exclusively live.

The satellite broadcaster will also screen exclusive live matches from Rounds one to five of the Carling Cup – two matches per round – and two legs of the Carling Cup semi-finals exclusively live, plus live coverage of the Carling Cup Final.

The new agreement is worth £88m per season to Football League clubs and encompasses terrestrial and pay television, broadband internet, video-on-demand and mobile services.

Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney said: “We are delighted to be continuing our strong partnership with Sky Sports and are excited by the prospect of working closely with the BBC. I am grateful to them both for their recognition of the value that The Football League brings to the football marketplace.

“Over the last few years the League’s standing has been enhanced, both commercially and competitively, as we have delivered real football for real fans. This deal recognises that fact.

“£88m a year coupled with unparalleled coverage on Sky and the BBC will provide a fantastic boost to Football League clubs and their supporters.”

Earlier today, Setanta announced that its 24-hour Setanta Sports News channel is to launch on November 29 on the Virgin Media platform and also satellite (see Setanta Sports News Gets Launch Date).

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk Sky: 08702 40 40 40 www.sky.com