Sky deal offers lifeline for football clubs

Sky has bought the rights to screen Football League matches for the next four years in a £95 million deal, it was announced today.

Sky has bought the rights to screen Football League matches for the next four years in a £95m (€148m) deal, it was announced today.

The agreement offers a lifeline to a number of smaller clubs which faced financial ruin after the collapse of ITV Digital.

The satellite broadcaster will show 60 games a season, including live league and Worthington Cup matches.

Football fans will see some games broadcast live on Saturday evenings at 5.35pm, with other matches being shown on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

Under the deal agreed today the Football League will get £20m (€31.2) in the first season.