New Premier League TV rights in UK worth 5.1bn pounds

Xinhua

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Sky and BT will pay a record 5.136 billion pounds for the UK live broadcasting rights for 168 English Premier League matches from the three seasons 2016/17 to 2018/19, the Premier League announced after concluding the sales process here on Tuesday.

The figure represents a 70 percent increase on Sky and BT's current 3 billion pounds contract reached in 2012.

Under the new deal, 168 games will be shown live, at an average cost of 10.2 million pounds per match.

Sky paid 4.176 billion pounds for 126 matches per season, including the first Friday evening games and both Sunday packages. BT paid 960 million pounds for 42 games per season, four more than its current deal.

"Premier League clubs deliver competitive and compelling football to fans in stadiums and on television, driving interest levels to new heights," said Richard Scudamore, the Chief Executive of the Premier League.

"Both Sky Sports and BT Sport have done a tremendous job in bringing the game to the fans as well as providing the revenue that allows clubs to invest in football, facilities, youth development and their communities.

"It is an endorsement of what the Premier League delivers that these broadcast partnerships have been extended and enhanced today. We are grateful for the continued belief that Sky Sports and BT Sport have in the Premier League and our clubs, both as a sporting competition and organisations to work with."