EFL football is front and centre to the new Sky Sports+, announced today and to be introduced for the 2024/25 season.
More than 1,000 EFL, Carabao Cup and Bristol Street Motors Trophy matches will be broadcast live throughout the season across both existing Sky Sports channels and the brand-new Sky Sports+, which is available on TV and mobile devices. Once live, Sky Sports+ is part of existing customers' Sky Sports subscription, or is available to purchase daily or monthly via NOW TV.
This will effectively replace the EFL's domestic streaming option provided via iFollow and club streaming services such as Boro LIVE. Our audio-only commentary service will remain domestically through Boro LIVE, as well as audio and video streaming for overseas supporters.
Article 48 (the 3pm Saturday broadcast blackout window) remains in place. Broadcasted matches will include five Championship games outside the blackout window each weekend, as well as all opening and final day fixtures, all midweek league fixtures, and all bank holiday fixtures including Easter, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
The new deal also includes an agreement that there is a more equal spread of club picks, with Championship clubs live up to 24 times per season.
And Sky Sports and the EFL will make good on a landmark new commitment for clubs and fans which will provide longer notice periods on TV selections. The notice periods for selections are as follows:
- Within seven days of the 2024/25 fixture release selections shall be made in respect of all matches to be played before the end of September
- Before the start of the season, selections shall be made in respect of all matches scheduled to be played prior to the end of the third round of the FA Cup in January
- By November 1, selections shall be made in respect of all matches to be played between the end of the third round proper of the FA Cup and the first weekend of March
- Selections for matches scheduled after the first weekend in March will be made on a four-week rolling basis starting from February 1 (e.g. a selection for the first weekend in April will be selected in the first weekend in March)
This is almost six month’s notice provided to fans and clubs, a significant increase on the current deal, which sees five weeks' notice given across the majority of the season.