Premier League To Return With All Games Shown By Four Broadcasters
The Premier League has announced that it will return to play on the 17th June, with all 92 remaining games to be broadcast live on TV.
The league’s broadcast partners, Sky Sport, BT Sport, the BBC, and Amazon Prime will all show live matches, with Sky confirming it will make 25 games freely available, including the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton.
The BBC, meanwhile, will screen four ties – which will mark the first time it has shown live Premier League games since the division’s inception in 1992.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “Today we have provisionally agreed to resume the Premier League on Wednesday 17 June.
“But this date cannot be confirmed until we have met all the safety requirements needed, as the health and welfare of all participants and supporters is our priority.
“Sadly, matches will have to take place without fans in stadiums, so we are pleased to have come up with a positive solution for supporters to be able to watch all the remaining 92 matches.
“The Premier League and our clubs are proud to have incredibly passionate and loyal supporters. It is important to ensure as many people as possible can watch the matches at home.
“We will continue to work step-by-step and in consultation with all our stakeholders as we move towards resuming the 2019/20 season.”
Stephen van Rooyen, Sky CEO and EVP, UK and Europe, said: “The return of live sport is a big moment for the country, and we want the nation to join us. Sky has partnered with the Premier League and its clubs for nearly thirty years, and the strength of our partnership has never been more important. Our commitment to showing 25 matches ‘free to air’ for the first time in the history of Sky Sports recognises the unique times we are in, and our desire to play our part.
“We have developed some terrific new innovations to give football fans the very best experience of watching live sport, when going to the match with family and friends isn’t possible, and we look forward to sharing these with football fans shortly.”
Barbara Slater, Director, BBC Sport, said: “This opportunity creates an historic moment for the BBC and our audiences. At a time when sports fans across the country are in need of lift, this is very welcome news. We are delighted and excited to have the chance to show live Premier League games on the BBC. This will offer audiences, who haven’t had the opportunity in the past, live , free to air access to the best football league in the world, as the BBC continues to keep the country entertained during these unprecedented times.”
A BT Sport statement read: “We’re delighted to see the provisional plan to restart the Premier League next month. Should all proceed safely, we look forward to broadcasting 20 Premier League games to our BT Sport customers.
“With the return of live Bundesliga, UFC and now the Premier League in June, we can confirm that as a gesture of goodwill we will also be offering customers a further bill credit to the value of 50% of their BT Sport monthly subscription.”
Premier League games will take place behind closed doors, while the return date, scheduled for 17th June, depends on safety requirements.
