In April, Sky Sports and the EFL agreed a 5 year deal that will run until the end of the 2028/29 season. Today, it has been announced that many of these matches will be shown on a new Sky Sports Channel, Sky Sports +, to be able to watch your team “over 20 times a season” at “no extra cost”
Sky Sports just got even better. Introducing Sky Sports+. Watch your EFL team over 20 times a season, including every Carabao Cup fixture. Launching this August at no extra cost ⚽ 📺 pic.twitter.com/EcynGBTZxx
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 8, 2024
But what does this deal actually mean for fans? How will it affect those wanting to watch at home, or those preparing to travel to matches that could be changed or rearranged if they are televised?
1: Matches no longer shown on WycombeTV for Domestic Audiences (Or IFollow)
There will be no matches shown on WycombeTV for domestic viewers, and whilst this was normal for Saturday fixtures, previously weekday fixtures had been available for domestic audiences on WycombeTV. From next season, that will not happen, with mid-week matches available via Sky Sports + instead, with selected weekend fixtures selected with a mininum of 248 League One matches to be shown every season. Domestic audio streams will remain available from WycombeTV, for those wishing to listen without video.
2: Streaming still available for overseas fans
For Chairboys fans across the globe, such as our friends in Argentina, Spain or Vipienne, all matches will still be available to stream, including weekend matches. This will allow the Chairboys growing international audience to continue to tune in from across the globe, or domestic fans who happen to be travelling.
3: Increased Camera Coverage
For matches covered on Sky Sports main channels, a mininum of 8 cameras will be used, whilst games streamed via Sky Sports + will have 4 camera angles available (Four for Championship and League One, Two for League Two). No longer will there be the one solitary angle and camera, and should hopefully allow for more interesting and high production watches for those at home.
4: Increased Notice for Fans on Televised Games
There has been issue with Sky Sports delays when announcing what games will be changed for kick off due to being televised, and Sky Sports/The EFL have committed to “longer notice periods on TV selections“. This is to allow “clubs and fans to plan further in advance and this will include the placement of all live matches selected for broadcast for the period to FA Cup third round before the start of the season. Greater parity in the number of times that clubs are selected for TV coverage is also guaranteed”
