a
HomeBroadcastPremier League Likely To Abandon Pay-Per-View Model As Second UK Lockdown Begins

Premier League Likely To Abandon Pay-Per-View Model As Second UK Lockdown Begins

Premier League Likely To Abandon Pay-Per-View Model As Second UK Lockdown Begins

[mkdf_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”#f55549″ background_color=””]T[/mkdf_dropcaps]
he English Premier League is likely to abandon its controversial pay-per-view model for matches after November’s international window, with England set to enter its second nationwide COVID-19 lockdown.

Premier League clubs will look to come up with a new solution that will cover the Christmas period, in order to recoup the loss of income.

The original £14.95 ($27 AUD) fee is expected to be dropped, after significant protests amongst different fan groups.

It is understood the model used in September, when all games were shown live by the Premier League’s broadcast partners, is the likely direction of travel.

Pay-per-view remains on the table but a final decision is not expected this week.

In a statement, the Premier League said shareholders met on Thursday “to discuss a number of important issues”, including the broadcast options for matches following the international break.

“Discussions with all stakeholders are ongoing and a broadcast solution will be announced in due course,” it added.

More than £300,000 ($542,466 AUD) has been raised for charity by fans boycotting pay-per-view games, which were introduced in October after clubs voted 19-1 in favour of the “interim solution”.

A Football Supporters’ Association spokesperson said: “Supporters made clear their revulsion at the £15 cost to see their teams on Sky and BT Sport’s pay-per-view platforms last month, an emotion running so deep that fan protests across the country even reached the ears of untouchable Premier League club owners.”

“We await to see the detail of what the Premier League and its broadcasters will now offer supporters who remain locked out of grounds for the foreseeable future – they simply must come up with a solution that is affordable for all,” they said.

Pay-per-view will still be used for this weekend’s fixtures, for games not selected for regular television broadcast, and whatever decision is made will come into force from November 21, and is due to last for the rest of the year.

This news comes as England has entered its second nationwide lockdown due to the Coronavirus, which is expected to run until December 2, meaning the hopes of fans returning to games continues to fade.

Share With:
Rate This Article
No Comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.