Match of the Day to remain on BBC as rival channels snub Premier League stance

06 November 2023 , 23:03

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Match of the Day to remain on BBC as rival channels snub Premier League stance

Match of the Day will continue to be broadcast on the BBC through to 2029 after the station’s commercial rivals declined to bid for the fresh set of rights for the Premier League.

The Premier League began the process to tender the next set of rights, spread across four years, with the current contract set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 campaign. However, it is understood that ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 have all opted against a bid.

The BBC have had a near-monopoly on Premier League highlights in recent times, with their long-standing show only briefly interrupted between 2001 and 2004 when ITV held the rights. That version was called 'The Premiership' and was presented by Des Lynam.

ITV had initially broadcast their version at 7pm, rather than the long-standing traditional 10.30pm slot, and the shift in schedule had initially seen the broadcaster gain an increase in viewers. However, they later pushed the show back to later in the evening – with viewership dropping once more.

As outlined by the Mail, the company held preliminary talks with the Premier League over a possible bid for the upcoming highlights package, which will run between 2025 and 2029. However, they opted against the bid believing that the valuation was prohibitive.

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ITV and Channel 4 both currently broadcast live England international matches, while the World Cup and European Championships finals are divvied up between BBC and ITV. However, live football has steadily been declining on free-to-air TV, with subscription channels Sky Sports, TNT, Amazon Prime and Viaplay currently holding the majority of rights packages.

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There has been concern of declining viewing figures for highlights package, with an increase in fans finding alternative ways to catch the day’s action. With declining advertising packages too, the commercial companies have opted against making bids.

The BBC have held the rights for Premier League highlights on free-to-air TV since 2004 (BBC)

Goals from Saturday’s action are available to view on YouTube shortly after 5:15pm each Saturday which is believed to have played a part in the decision process, while each of those broadcasters already have a settled Saturday night schedule.

BBC’s Match of the Day programme format is synonymous with the top-level of English football and there is an awareness from rival broadcasters that such a change may prove unpopular with sections of their core viewership. Another factor that may play a role is a decline in Saturday football in the division, with an increasing number of games likely to be played on Friday and Monday nights, alongside a busier Sunday schedule.

Colin Millar