WSL strike agreement with Sky and BBC on record terms for a 5-year deal for Domestic TV fixtures in the top-flight.
WSL, Sky Sports and the BBC have agreed a new five-year, shared domestic broadcast rights deal. Almost all Women’s Super League games will be televised live starting in the 2025–2026 season.
Although the deal’s exact value is unknown, the Guardian has learnt that the rights price, plus production expenses, is worth roughly £65 million over the course of the five seasons, bringing the broadcasters’ overall commitment in the women’s game to well over £100 million. The new contract is a significant rise over the existing one, which is estimated to be valued between £7 and £8 million every season.
It is believed that Sky Sports is making the great majority of that expenditure. In exchange, they have been granted access to up to 118 live WSL matches annually, 78 of which will be Sky-only, and they will also get 75% of the first-choice selections.
Up to 21 games will be broadcast live by the BBC each season, with seven of those games being shared and the other 14 being unique to BBC television. As part of the new collaboration that was agreed upon with the streaming platform this summer, any matches that are not chosen for live television transmission will be aired live on YouTube. It implies that viewers will be able to watch all 132 WSL games live, either on television or online.
The number of Women’s Championship games that will be streamed live on YouTube is also expected to increase significantly starting in the upcoming season. While the BBC will not be airing Championship games live, Sky has the option to do so if they so desire.
Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), as the Football Association was replaced by the new organisation in managing the top two women’s leagues in England.
The chief executive of WPLL, Nikki Doucet, said: “Agreeing the next cycle of broadcast rights was a priority for us. And we are very fortunate to have two premium broadcast partners in Sky and the BBC who believe in the future and value of women’s football as much as we do. The growth of the game is undeniable. And this deal is another step in the right direction and positive news for the fans, the players and the clubs.
“Sky and the BBC are longtime backers and their contribution to the growth of the women’s game should not go without recognition. They provide excellent visibility coupled with first-class production values and we look forward to building on our partnership over the coming years.”