Sky retains rights for biggest Premier League games

Sky has retained the television rights to four of the six Premier League broadcast packages after agreeing to pay a figure thought to be in excess of £1 billion.

The Premier League announced late last night that it had awarded Sky four of the six packages on offer, each of 23 games.

It is understood that the satellite broadcaster has secured the first choice of the best matches and will air 92 games per year.

The Premier League said in a statement: “Following the submission of bids by interested parties the Premier League is in a position to announce that it has awarded four out of the six packages of UK live audio-visual rights to BSkyB for seasons 2010/13.

“We will be proceeding to a second round of bidding for the remaining two packages in due course.

“There will be no further comment on this from the Premier League until the conclusion of the second round of bidding. Bidders are also bound by similar confidentiality.”

The final two rights packages are believed to include 46 games mostly kicking-off on mid-day Saturdays and Monday evenings.

It is understood that the present rights holder, Setanta (see Sky And Setanta Share Remaining Premiership Rights) will be going up against American sports broadcaster ESPN in the second round of bidding (see ESPN could bid for Premier League TV rights).

Although a deal agreed with the European Commission in 2005 means that the live rights must be split between more than one broadcaster. Sky could still win one of the two remaining packages.

Sky: 08702 40 40 40 www.sky.com