Premier League scrap pay-per-view fixtures as matches return to regular subscription services
PPV matches, introduced earlier this season, proved hugely unpopular with supporters
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All Premier League fixtures from Saturday 21 November, and throughout the Christmas and New Year period, will be made available to fans to watch live in the UK, it has been confirmed.
It marks the end of the highly controversial pay-per-view matches, priced at £14.95 each on Sky Sports and BT Sport platforms, which proved hugely unpopular with supporters.
Under the new arrangement, announced on Friday evening, the BBC confirmed it will screen the match between Fulham and Everton on 22 November, bringing the league back to free-to-air viewers again.
The matches will be split between broadcast partners Sky Sports, BT Sport, the BBC and Amazon.
Read more: International football matches this week: all Uefa Nations League, Euro 2020 qualifier and friendly fixtures info
A Premier League statement read: "There is a full schedule of Premier League games over the festive period and clubs are committed to an accessible solution for fans.
"These plans have been made with the co-operation of our broadcast partners, working with us to deliver these additional matches while stadiums are missing the supporters who are such an integral part of the game.
"The agreement will be reviewed in the new year following consultation with clubs, broadcast partners and in line with any decisions made by government regarding the return of spectators to stadiums.
"The Premier League and our clubs remain committed to the safe return of fans as soon as possible."
The Premier League's chief executive Richard Masters said last month the £14.95 price was "defensible", while BT also defended it, saying it was only covering its costs in screening the matches.
The pay-per-view model came in at a time when the 1 October return of fans had been indefinitely delayed but when the English professional game continued to lobby government to allow them back in.
The country faces different circumstances now, with England under lockdown restrictions until at least 2 December.
The decision taken on Friday moves the league back to the arrangement which was in place at the start of the 2020-21 season back in September.
Full November fixture list
Saturday 21 November
Newcastle United vs Chelsea - 12:30pm (BT Sport)
Aston Villa vs Brighton - 3pm (BT Sport)
Tottenham vs Manchester City - 5:30 (Sky Sports)
Manchester United vs West Bromwich Albion - 8pm (BT Sport)
Sunday 22 November
Fulham vs Everton - 12pm (BBC)
Sheffield United vs West Ham - 2pm (Sky Sports)
Leeds United vs Arsenal - 4:30pm (Sky Sports)
Liverpool vs Leicester City - 7:15pm (Sky Sports)
Monday 23 November
Burnley vs Crystal Palace - 5:30pm (Sky Sports)
Wolves vs Southampton - 8pm (Sky Sports)
Friday 27 November
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United - 8pm (Amazon Prime)
Saturday 28 November
Brighton vs Liverpool - 12:30 (BT Sport)
Manchester City vs Burnley - 3pm (BT Sport)
Everton vs Leeds United - 5:30pm (Sky Sports)
West Bromwich Albion vs Sheffield United - 8pm (Sky Sports)
Sunday 29 November
Southampton vs Manchester United - 2pm (Sky Sports)
Chelsea vs Tottenham - 4:30pm (Sky Sports)
Arsenal vs Wolves - 7:15pm (Sky Sports)
Monday 30 November
Leicester City vs Fulham - 5:30pm (Sky Sports)
West Ham vs Aston Villa - 8pm (Sky Sports)
This weekend get a £10 free bet with Betfair, when you bet £10 on a Same Game Multi on the Premier League. Terms: Min £10 Same Game Multi bet on any EPL match this Fri - Sun. Free bet valid for 72 hours, awarded at bet settlement. Excludes cashed out bets. T&Cs apply.
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