The FA Premier League announced late last night that a £670 million deal with BSkyB has been reached for the live television rights to the Premiership for the period up to the end of the 2000/2001 season. Highlights to Premier League matches have been awarded to the BBC, in an agreement worth £73 million, also over four years.
The new live deal, which is believed to be the biggest ever TV rights agreement in the UK, was approved following presentations made to the Chairmen of the 20 FA Premier League clubs and senior league officials meeting in Coventry on Thursday.
Presentations were made by BSkyB, a joint Mirror Group and Carlton Communications consortium and a team from MAI United News and Media. Paper bids for recorded rights were received from ITV and the BBC.
Announcing the new agreements, FA Premier League Chief Executive, Rick Parry, said he was delighted at the continued partnership with BSkyB and the BBC.
“No one should be in any doubt that the screening of sport on TV is entering a new era, both in terms of available technologies, and of the level of consumer interest among the viewing public. Money gained through these deals is for football, enabling clubs to raise their game to entertaining new heights.”
Vic Wakeling, Head of Sport at Sky Television said: “This is good for football, good for fans, and a great victory for Sky subscribers. We have developed a tremendous partnership with the FA Premier League since its launch four years ago and we are delighted they have chosen Sky to take the game into the next millennium.”
From next season (1996-97) Sky Television will also broadcast live coverage of the Nationwide Football League and Coca-Cola Cup in addition to the existing live deals for the FA Premier League, FA Cup, FA England internationals at Wembley Stadium, and three major Scottish competitions – the Bell’s Scottish Premier League, Tennents Scottish Cup and Scottish Coca-Cola Cup.
