'Premier League club' planning to charge Sky Sports and BT Sports extra for player and manager interviews
One of the Premier League's top clubs want broadcasters such as Sky Sports and BT Sport to be charged extra than the billions they currently pay for television rights
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A top-six Premier League club is planning to charge key media partners such as Sky Sports and BT Sport extra for access to manager and player interviews, according to reports.
Broadcasters are currently given ‘free’ access to players and managers ahead of games and in the mixed zone after matches.
However, they have to first pay staggering fees for the rights to screen live Premier League matches. Sky pay over £4bn for five of the seven live packages in the current TV rights deal, while BT pay just under £1bn for the other two.
But that’s not enough for one club, with the Mirror reporting that one unnamed top-six side is planning to charge broadcasters extra for interview opportunities with their staff and playing squad.
The newspaper reports that the club want to introduce this new ‘interview levy’ ahead of the 2019/20 season, when a brand new TV rights deal begins.
This development isn’t the first sign that Premier League club’s dealings with independent media companies could be set to change in the coming seasons.
Only last week Manchester United executive vice-chairman announced plans to “aggressively market” the club’s MUTV app.
Although he claimed the club’s relationships with original independent media partners would not be impacted, the marketing of the app will see the club produce and promote more of their own media content. Liverpool have meanwhile long lobbied for overseas TV rights to be sold on an individual basis.
And recently promoted Newcastle United have banned several local and national journalists during Mike Ashley’s period in charge of the club, while offering fans the chance to pay £53.88 a year for access to in-house interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments