Sky swiftly tackles BT as live fixtures announced
Sky Sport and BT Sport have today announced which matches both broadcasters will show as the battle between the the two companies intensifies.
Sky walked away with the some of the biggest stories of the opening weekend – David Moyes’ first match as Manchester United manager and Jose Mourinho’s return as Chelsea manager – and in the first round of fixtures, Sky Sports viewers will be able to see 43 live Premier League matches by 1 December compared with BT’s 12.
BT Sport, as part of its free sport deal for broadband customers, will be showing the Barclays Premier League matches, including Tottenham v Chelsea, and Everton v Liverpool.
BT Sport has chosen two games involving Man United – Tottenham Hotspur v Man United at White Hart Lane, and the Premier League champion’s home fixture against Crystal Palace.
Matches between Newcastle and Liverpool at St James’ Park, Man City and Everton, and Arsenal and Fulham will also be shown.
“This is the first time in Premier League history that top pick matches have been shown anywhere other than on Sky,” said Simon Green, director of BT Sport.
However, Sky’s selections, made together with the Premier League, are the first of 116 live fixtures on Sky Sports – the most ever in a single season.
Sky will also cover every clash between last season’s top four and show nine derbies including Manchester, north London, north east and south Wales
As the pay-TV battle between Sky and BT heats up, Sky Sports is also inviting viewers to watch a free day of football on Saturday 17 August.
Sky Sports 1 will replace the regular programming on Sky 2 and Pick TV, meaning millions of home viewers can access a live Premier League match, a Football League fixture, plus a host of other football shows at no cost.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “This is our biggest ever season of Premier League football. When you look at the opening fixtures in black and white, you can see that no other broadcaster comes close to the quality that we offer.
“We’ll have more than three times as many matches as BT, and our schedule is even stronger than it was last season.”
BT Sport’s first game of the season will be Liverpool v Stoke City at Anfield at 12.45pm on August 17, with former Liverpool and Stoke striker Michael Owen co-commentating.