The EFL has named Sky Sports as its preferred bidder for the pay TV rights to the EFL for 2024-27, locking out new entrants to the market, including DAZN.
DAZN, alongside a number of other streaming services, had expressed interest in acquiring broadcast rights, according to media industry sources.
But the chances of a change in broadcaster for live EFL football reduced this week after the EFL confirmed it had completed a review of all the bids. It confirmed it would now enter an exclusive month-long negotiating period with Sky Sports.
Other broadcasters will only get a look-in if the EFL and Sky fail to reach an agreement by early May. The EFL will not be making any further comments during the negotiating period.
Free-to-air highlights are a separate package, currently with ITV.
DAZN currently broadcasts live EFL to subscribers in Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Viaplay screens games in the Nordic and Baltic countries, plus the Netherlands and Poland.
Last year, Sky Sports piloted new styles of coverage for EFL games. The first ‘innovation game’ on 4th December, gave viewers the chance to access extra features include on-pitch audio, dressing room footage, exclusive interviews and club personnel on co-commentary duties.
Marc Thornham