Efl lands On Cbs Sports In Four-year US Rights Deal
The English Football League (EFL) has signed a four-year US media rights partnership with Paramount-owned broadcaster CBS Sports.
Taking effect from the 2024/25 season and expiring after the 2027/28 campaign, the deal covers a minimum of 250 fixtures per season across the EFL Championship, League One and League Two, Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy.
CBS Sports will air at least 155 Championship matches per season, and a minimum of 38 League One and League Two games, over the duration of the new contract.
These matches will air on subscription platform Paramount+, with select games set to broadcast on CBS Sports and CBS Sports Golazo, a dedicated 24-7 football channel.
All play-off matches, and a minimum of 30 Carabao Cup fixtures each season, will also be included in the deal.
CBS is set to reveal more games that will receive coverage during the upcoming season.
The expansive agreement will also provide further coverage of AFC Wrexham, the club that has seen its popularity in the US sky-rocket in recent years, following the launch of the Welcome to Wrexham docuseries in 2022.
Owned by Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Rob McElhenney, Wrexham has more US fans than all MLS clubs except Inter Miami, according to Google Trends.
The EFL is represented by New York-based agency Relevent Sports, which manages the its distribution rights through a four-year deal signed earlier this year.
The EFL’s domestic coverage is set for a significant increase next season, with Sky Sports set to launch its new Sky Sports+ channel, which will provide coverage of more than 1000 EFL matches annually.
CBS’ football media rights portfolio includes the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, NWSL, the Scottish Professional Football League, and Argentina’s top-flight the Primera Division
“The exciting action and prestige of the EFL, as the oldest league in the world, adds tremendous value to CBS Sports’ premium soccer portfolio,” said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President of Programming at CBS Sports.
“With the EFL’s compelling storylines and growing popularity coupled with our first-class coverage, we look forward to further elevating this league in the US CBS Sports continues to be the premier destination for European football fans in this country with Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network as must-haves with their wide array of soccer properties and robust year-round match coverage.”
EFL CEO Trevor Birch added, “Appetite for football in the North American markets has been growing year on year, and this partnership with CBS Sports and their leadership in covering the sport marks a significant milestone.
“The EFL is already broadcast to a global audience of 400 million across 182 territories, beaming into more than 250 million homes outside of the UK.
“We believe that American fans will embrace the excitement, tradition, and competitiveness that is embodied by our EFL competitions.”
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