Football League Secure ‘Ground Breaking’ Deals With Channel 5 & ITN

The Football League has agreed three-year broadcasting deals with Channel 5 and ITN Productions.

For the first time ever, highlights of Football League matches will be shown in a prime-time Saturday night slot from the beginning of next season, for its free-to-air highlights with Channel 5.

Match footage from matches in all three divisions of the Football League will be broadcast in a new weekly 90 minute show.

Channel 5 will also broadcast highlights of the Capital One Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

The Football League’s Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, said: “This is an exceptional opportunity for The Football League to work with a broadcaster that will schedule our matches in a prime-time slot. It will take our games to a wider, younger audience by giving us the chance to be first in front of fans on a Saturday night.”

David Lynn, President of Channel 5’s parent company, Viacom International Media Networks UK said: “We are extremely happy to be welcoming back top quality football to such a prominent slot on Channel 5.

“The Football League is one of the toughest and most attractive club competitions in world football and we’re convinced this highlights package will prove highly popular with a mainstream audience at the heart of our Saturday evening schedule.”

Mark Browning, MD of ITN Productions, said: “This is a transformative moment for ITN Productions and ITN. We are already a key player in UK sports production and now every goal in the Sky Bet Football League, Capital One Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy will be produced by ITN Productions.

“This is the result of our continued investment in production excellence and fast-turnaround publishing capability along with a world class team.”

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