• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Premier League Reasserts Dominance With $8.5B Domestic Rights Deals

  • Deals achieve small rights fee increase for top European league.
  • Agreements notably leave out streaming entities.
English Premier League teams Leeds United and Brighton Hove & Albion in action during a match.
Premier League

The Premier League has completed an $8.5 billion set of domestic media rights agreements that reasserts its presence as one of the world’s most dominant sports properties.

In four-year pacts starting with the 2025-26 season, Comcast’s Sky Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT will broadcast up to 270 live games per season, each retaining their status with the league, while the BBC will continue to broadcast a free-to-air highlights package. 

The highly anticipated agreements are described as the largest sports media rights pacts ever completed in the U.K. A 4% increase from the prior rights cycle, the aggregate fees nearly double the recently struck domestic rights in Italy for Serie A. 

“The outcome of this process underlines the strength of the Premier League and is testament to our clubs, players, and managers who continue to deliver the world’s most competitive football in full stadiums, and to supporters, who create an unrivaled atmosphere every week,” said Premier League CEO Richard Masters.

Notably, the deals leave out streamers Amazon and DAZN. 

Amazon, which has held a smaller package of Premier League rights since 2019, maintains UEFA Champions League rights but has been more measured in its acquisition of European and South American domestic league rights. The streaming and retail giant reportedly declined to bid on the full Premier League offering, given the volume of games.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

March Madness Tips Off With Record 9.8M Opening Day Viewers

Games on CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV were up 6% from last year.

March Madness Fuels the Push Toward More Screens, More Games

This year, there are even more multiview options available.
ESPN announcer Dick Vitale with analyst Charles Barkley before the Indiana-Kentucky men's college basketball game at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky December 13, 2025.

How the Charles Barkley–Dick Vitale Pairing Came Together

Barkley and Vitale called Texas’s victory over NC State.

How Conferences Cash In on March Madness 

The men’s tournament will pay out more than $220 million.

Featured Today

Maxime Vachier Lagrave

The Planet’s Best Chess Players Are Having Their LIV Golf Moment

Chess’s most prestigious tournament is battling a splashy Saudi event.
Beau Brune/LSU
March 22, 2026

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
March 18, 2026

AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts

College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
March 7, 2026

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) shoots against the Phoenix Mercury during the second half of game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

CBS To Air 20 WNBA Games on Broadcast TV in 2026

The league will have a strong presence on network TV in 2026.
Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cam Manyawu (3) shoots past Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
March 25, 2026

March Madness Draws Record Viewership Through Two Rounds

Games across CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV have averaged 10.1 million viewers.
Jun 1, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; Whipsnakes LC Attack Ben Reeves (2) controls the ball while Chaos LC Midfielder Deemer Class (10) defends during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
March 25, 2026

ESPN’s Burke Magnus Has Been a ‘Steward’ for Lacrosse: Paul Rabil

Magnus played a key role in bringing the PLL to ESPN.
Sponsored

Cameron Boozer & Cayden Boozer Talk Pressure, Benefit of Playing Together

The Boozer twins have built their games, and their identities, side by side.
March 25, 2026

NFL-Backed Flag Football Event Draws Sub-650K TV Audience

The Tom Brady-led event draws a relatively low audience.
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
exclusive
March 24, 2026

Mike Tomlin Signs With Sports Media Agency The Montag Group

Tomlin is widely regarded as one of the top media free agents.
March 24, 2026

Yankees RSN Bucks Trend Amid Ongoing Industry Pullback

Despite industry pressures, the regional sports network adds to its programming.
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC watches his team against Boston Common Golf during TGL match at SoFi Center on March 17, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
March 24, 2026

ESPN Ramps Up Coverage For Tiger Woods TGL Return

Tiger Woods won’t be hard to find on ESPN airwaves on Tuesday.