Admin phantom Posted October 23, 2022 Admin Report Share Posted October 23, 2022 SKY TV are anxiously eyeing their viewing figures before sorting out a new contract with the EFL. And that could mean the broadcaster offers LESS money and wants FEWER live games when the next deal starts in 2024. Insiders reveal that numbers have been low this season, with the highest coming in the opening match between Huddersfield and Burnley. The exact audience sizes are kept quiet but sources claim the largest was only around 600,000. There will be rival bids for television rights when the next package starts, with that contract due to be sorted out next season. And the Sky appetite for spending big money on a lot of games may depend on the viewing figures over the coming months. Sky have had a bad season to cover the flagship Championship as there are no huge clubs at that level with big fan bases. The days of Leeds, Villa, Fulham and Nottingham Forest swelling viewing figures have gone with their promotion to the top flight. And a general lowering of the standard and lack of ‘star’ quality players makes it a hard sell for the TV company. Sky also made a mistake by introducing 8pm midweek kick-offs and even Saturday nights for some games, tinkering that has not made any positive difference. They will hope the South Wales derby between Swansea and Cardiff at 12pm today can draw in their biggest viewing figures of the season. There is also a derby between Watford and Luton taking place today. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviestevieneville Posted October 23, 2022 Report Share Posted October 23, 2022 There is talk of getting rid of the 3pm blackout after this current contract with sky ends . Also that a Netflix type streaming service could show the games. It’s a difficult one . Would it affect attendances ? If it does then surely clubs would need to be compensated within the price structure of the streaming service . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Rob Posted October 23, 2022 Report Share Posted October 23, 2022 The television bubble was going to burst at some point (for a second time, sure we all remember ITV Digital). It'll be a case of who is best of the rest. BT, Amazon, Netflix, Britbox, Disney or a new player to the market. If Sky aren't getting value for money from their current arrangement it is unlikely to attract a wave of new bidders, unless it includes a Saturday 3pm option and specific club subscription. Not a great position for the EFL to be in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidercity1987 Posted October 23, 2022 Report Share Posted October 23, 2022 Can't imagine Fulham were inflating anything but the problem for viewing figures is the number of big teams in L1. Soon as Wednesday, Derby, Ipswich etc come back up replacing the tiny Champ teams then the figures will go back up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleepy1968 Posted October 23, 2022 Report Share Posted October 23, 2022 12 minutes ago, steviestevieneville said: There is talk of getting rid of the 3pm blackout after this current contract with sky ends . Also that a Netflix type streaming service could show the games. It’s a difficult one . Would it affect attendances ? If it does then surely clubs would need to be compensated within the price structure of the streaming service . As its their rights being sold, and the EFL act for its member clubs, then that's what you hope would be happening. If any negotiated price doesn't cover the expected loss of matchday income(*), or is split inequitably, then surely the clubs will only have themselves to blame (*limited by what someone would be willing to pay). What I expect will happen is that the smaller clubs get bullied and the Championship Clubs get most of the revenue with the L1 and L2 clubs picking up the crumbs. Since the cat is out of the bag on sat 3pm matches (anyone that wants to watch these games can do now, semi legally (like us VPN airways people*) or via illegal streaming) and extend the iFollow/club stream options, maybe with some games moved to non 3pm slots for simultaneous club stream/partner broadcast (not blacked out to club streaming). Given that home clubs retain matchday income now (apart from paying a 10%(?) commission to away teams for their pre match ticket sales), I don't see the issue with the home teams picking up all income for streaming sells, compensated by the away team for streams they host at an agreed collective price. What I fear will happen is that the price is set too high, and too many potential sales are lost the illegail streaming. And that might be why clubs would prefer a lower but guaranteed price from broadcasters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted October 23, 2022 Report Share Posted October 23, 2022 1 hour ago, phantom said: SKY TV are anxiously eyeing their viewing figures before sorting out a new contract with the EFL. And that could mean the broadcaster offers LESS money and wants FEWER live games when the next deal starts in 2024. Insiders reveal that numbers have been low this season, with the highest coming in the opening match between Huddersfield and Burnley. The exact audience sizes are kept quiet but sources claim the largest was only around 600,000. There will be rival bids for television rights when the next package starts, with that contract due to be sorted out next season. And the Sky appetite for spending big money on a lot of games may depend on the viewing figures over the coming months. Sky have had a bad season to cover the flagship Championship as there are no huge clubs at that level with big fan bases. The days of Leeds, Villa, Fulham and Nottingham Forest swelling viewing figures have gone with their promotion to the top flight. And a general lowering of the standard and lack of ‘star’ quality players makes it a hard sell for the TV company. Sky also made a mistake by introducing 8pm midweek kick-offs and even Saturday nights for some games, tinkering that has not made any positive difference. They will hope the South Wales derby between Swansea and Cardiff at 12pm today can draw in their biggest viewing figures of the season. There is also a derby between Watford and Luton taking place today. Interesting post… 29 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said: The television bubble was going to burst at some point (for a second time, sure we all remember ITV Digital). It'll be a case of who is best of the rest. BT, Amazon, Netflix, Britbox, Disney or a new player to the market. If Sky aren't getting value for money from their current arrangement it is unlikely to attract a wave of new bidders, unless it includes a Saturday 3pm option and specific club subscription. Not a great position for the EFL to be in. …and I’ve long time worried about a plateau of the TV deal, even it’s decline. I don’t foresee another on-digital scenario, but along with transfer fee reduction, a tv deal reduction would really focus the minds of sustainability and how to achieve. When this summer comes around we will be better positioned to react than the last two summers. Wages down (as the OOC player leave or accept reduced contracts), amortisation down from £14m to £1m…a more realistic lower cost base that can be supported by revenue and SL backing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prankerd Posted October 23, 2022 Report Share Posted October 23, 2022 Skys coverage of any football thats not the premier league is dreadul, so bland and uninteresting, picking leeds or any of the big clubs 20 to 30 times a season and us 4! No wonder the viewing figures have gone down when the broadcaster cant be bothered to make an effort. We have one of the most exciting leagues in the world with the championship and it doesnt get any reasonable coverage or highlights. The championship and football league in general could generate alot more money if it was broadcast properly. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red-Robbo Posted October 23, 2022 Report Share Posted October 23, 2022 Sky Sports global revenue fell 14% last year and they lost 225,000 subscribers. They aren't going to flash the cash like in days of yore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted October 23, 2022 Report Share Posted October 23, 2022 48 minutes ago, cidercity1987 said: Can't imagine Fulham were inflating anything but the problem for viewing figures is the number of big teams in L1. Soon as Wednesday, Derby, Ipswich etc come back up replacing the tiny Champ teams then the figures will go back up Hard to say but ex PL has that certain cachet, would be interesting to see some kinda breakdown by club or even game if any exist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midred Posted October 23, 2022 Report Share Posted October 23, 2022 1 hour ago, Davefevs said: Interesting post… …and I’ve long time worried about a plateau of the TV deal, even it’s decline. I don’t foresee another on-digital scenario, but along with transfer fee reduction, a tv deal reduction would really focus the minds of sustainability and how to achieve. When this summer comes around we will be better positioned to react than the last two summers. Wages down (as the OOC player leave or accept reduced contracts), amortisation down from £14m to £1m…a more realistic lower cost base that can be supported by revenue and SL backing. Sometimes there seems to be a match on every night, I can't see 8.00 on a Thursday night being great for fans attending a match never mind watching on TV. I think less is more would get better viewing figures. Imagine, unlikely but possible, if Leeds, Villa and Forest/Wolves were relegated at the end of this season, would they reconsider for another season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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