favicon

T4K3.news

Sky secures record Premier League deal

Sky will broadcast at least 215 Premier League matches this season, while the 3pm blackout remains in place.

August 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM
blur Is Tottenham vs Burnley on TV? Sky Sports' new deal explained and why 3pm blackout was lifted

A look at Sky's new Premier League deal and the ongoing 3pm blackout debate that shapes weekend schedules and fans access

Sky expands Premier League coverage as 3pm blackout endures

Tottenham Hotspur will not have live TV coverage for their home game against Burnley this weekend because of the traditional 3pm Saturday blackout. The rule blocks live broadcasts from 2:45pm to 5:15pm on Saturdays and is described in the article as a long standing measure intended to protect match attendances. The piece also notes that supporters of the rule point to protecting lower leagues while opponents argue it limits fans’ access to matches they cannot attend.

Sky’s new four year deal will see a minimum of 215 Premier League matches shown each season, with more games across midweek slots and on Friday and Monday nights. Sky Group CEO Dana Strong is quoted describing the deal as a strong result for Sky customers and the English game, highlighting the broadcaster’s ongoing central role for sport fans in the UK. The article also lists opening weekend televised fixtures from other games across the league and explains how the blackout can influence which matches fans can watch live.

Key Takeaways

✔️
Sky commits to a four year deal with a minimum of 215 Premier League games annually
✔️
Midweek and extended weekend fixtures get more broadcast coverage
✔️
The 3pm Saturday blackout remains in force into the 2028/29 period
✔️
A temporary lifting of blackout rules for lower leagues occurred due to scheduling gaps
✔️
Public debate centers on access versus attendance and the financial priorities of clubs
✔️
Tottenham vs Burnley will not be shown live on UK TV this weekend

"This is a fantastic result for Sky customers, who will see a significant increase in the number of matches from the most iconic league in the world."

Sky Group CEO Dana Strong commenting on the new rights deal

"Very, very proud of the players, the team, the club, the fans."

Thomas Frank after a recent performance against a top side

"I think the players gave everything against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best."

Thomas Frank describing the effort shown by his side

"It’s down to the smallest of margins, like the flip of a coin."

Frank on how a game can swing on fine lines

The piece frames a familiar tension in modern football: more broadcast money and more game exposure on screen versus preserving a traditional scheduling rule that keeps fans in the stadium. It shows how big deals with broadcasters can change programming while a legacy policy still governs weekend viewing. The blackout debate reflects broader questions about accessibility, equality among leagues, and the financial logic of football’s growth. For readers, the story is less about a single match and more about where the sport is headed in the streaming era and how fans balance paying for access with the desire to watch live. The narrative also hints at how opening weekends can test public sentiment as more games move online, while the industry negotiates long term rights deals that shape schedules for years to come.

Highlights

  • More games for more fans, less blackout
  • Fans deserve access not cages around the weekend
  • Broadcast deals should lift the game not lock out the crowd
  • The game belongs to the fans not the calendar

Broadcast rights and public reaction linked to 3pm blackout

The ongoing 3pm blackout and the new Sky deal affect access for fans, lower leagues, and investors. The policy debate could influence public opinion and policy discussions about how football is funded and watched.

The broadcasting future is being written in increasingly crowded studios and stadiums.

Enjoyed this? Let your friends know!

Related News