Goal.com

Jun 13, 2012 6:42:00 PM

ESPN lose out on the right to show top-flight matches between 2013 and 2016 to the phone giant as the number of games continues to rise, along with the record-breaking price

BSkyB and BT have won the television rights to show Premier League games in the UK during the 2013-14 to 2015-16 seasons, with the overall value of the deal being confirmed at £3.018 billion.

Of the 154 games up for auction, BSkyB claimed five of the seven packages on offer with a totally of 116 games, while BT edged out the current provider ESPN, to secure 38 matches.

The telephone company has rights for just 32 matches in the first season of the deal, but will be able to have the first pick of games 18 times out of the 38 matchdays for each year.

It is thought that BT create a designated television channel to accommodate the fixtures, but the option of online broadcasting is also an option.

Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, spoke of his delight at the news, telling the league’s official website: "The Barclays Premier League continues to provide excellent football and enthralling drama as we saw last season. The value this drives for our rights holders is evident and we are extremely pleased that this has been realised for our UK live rights.

"As ever, the security provided by broadcast revenues will enable our clubs to continue to invest in all aspects of their football activities and plan sustainably for the foreseeable future. This deal allows them to keep delivering what fans want; top quality football in some of world’s best club stadia and an increasing focus on and commitment to areas such as Youth Development.

"The continuing support of BSkyB for Premier League football is significant beyond the revenues delivered; the longevity and quality of their commitment has done much for the English game as a whole. We are very happy to see this relationship maintained for another three seasons.

"We welcome BT as a new Premier League broadcast partner. They are a substantial British company that is at the leading edge of technology and infrastructure development. They are clearly investing in quality content to use on their platforms and when combined with the reach and pull of Premier League football they will deliver new ways in which fans will be able to follow the competition.”

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