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Parliament Set to Vote on Free-to-Air Premier League Amendment

Broadcasters warn that compulsory free broadcasts risk undermining a record £6.7bn Premier League TV rights deal after the government declines to review the listed events regime.

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Overview

  • MPs will vote today on a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Football Governance Bill requiring at least ten Premier League matches each season to be shown free-to-air.
  • The amendment also mandates that the League Cup final and all English Football League play-off finals be broadcast on free-to-air channels under the oversight of the new Independent Football Regulator.
  • A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson confirmed the government has no plans to alter the existing listed events regime.
  • Sky Sports and TNT Sports caution that enforced free fixtures could devalue the Premier League’s £6.7bn domestic rights contract and reduce funds redistributed across clubs.
  • Liberal Democrats highlight that fans face up to £660 in subscription costs and cite La Liga’s model of one free-to-air game a week as an alternative access approach.