The packages BT won are mainly for Saturday lunchtime matches, including the first match of each season and midweek offerings.
The Saturday early kick-off format is an area where Sky had monopolised since 1997, even during the days where they offered pay-per-view games through the Premiership Plus service.
BT will be paying £246 million for its share in the new broadcast deal and have said that it will launch a football channel to cover the games.
Included in the deal are 18 first pick games, which means that Sky have also lost the exclusive deal they have had of all the big head-to-head encounters such as Manchester United’s showdowns with Arsenal and Liverpool’s meetings against Chelsea.
Full details and pricing figures will be announced by the company in due course.
http://www.totalfootballmag.com/feat...ootball-arena/