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Global media company DAZN is vying to stream all English Football League matches.
The streaming platform, according to The Times, is bidding for the U.K. and global rights against Sky Sports and Viaplay — and if it wins, it wants to stream all 1,656 matches live.
Streaming all matches live would eliminate England’s longstanding Saturday 3 p.m. blackout rule designed to protect attendance at lower-league grounds.
Comcast-owned Sky’s current deal with the EFL — which pays $147 million annually — ends following the 2023-24 season. The EFL is reportedly seeking a new rights deal worth more than $247 million.
“DAZN’s entrance into the market has the potential to transform the broadcast landscape in the U.K. Although EFL clubs have been able to sell streaming passes for games played in midweek or on Bank Holidays this season, teaming up with DAZN would enable supporters to legally watch every game from 2024-25,” according to The Athletic.
“A hybrid model, combining a traditional broadcaster with a streaming provider, is not being discounted after an Invitation to Tender reached its deadline last week.”
The move would also put DAZN at odds with the Premier League, whose chief executive Richard Masters remains in favor of the 3 p.m. blackout, according to The Athletic.
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