Sky Sports show almost 11,000 hours of football in 2014... but less than 1,200 for women's sport

Women's sport has increased 30 per cent in comparison to 2013, however

Tom Sheen
Wednesday 31 December 2014 23:30 GMT
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Sky Sports have enjoyed a record-breaking year in which they screened almost 11,000 hours of football in 2014.

The channel enjoyed a record-breaking year across all sports by showing more than 59,000 hours across their seven channels. The amount of football shown was up 29 per cent to 10,912 hours, way ahead of other sports aired by the broadcaster.

Golf was the second most aired sport (6,282 hours) ahead of cricket (4,607) and motor sport (4,276). Rugby union and league, tennis and boxing each had less than 2,000 hours of air time over the year.

Women’s sport was shown for just 1,160 hours, more than boxing, in fact, although that did represent a 30 per cent increase on air time in comparison to 2013, with women’s sport shown on 260 days of the year.

Sky Sports are set to battle BT Sport for Premier League television rights for 2016-17 to 2018-19 seasons, with the bidding open now.

A record 168 live matches will be shown, with up to 10 Friday night games part of the new package.

Sky Sports currently have 116 live games compared to BT Sports 38, but the new channel beat their rival to Champions League rights last year, paying £897million for an exclusive deal, beginning next season.

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