SKY SPORTS will have a dedicated Premier League channel from next season – allowing for a CHEAPER subscription.
The broadcasting giants today announced their revamped package, which begins on July 18.
Sky Sports 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be scrapped in favour of themed channels.
Existing customers will see the new package sync automatically onto their current deal.
Top-flight football will be shown on a channel separate to football, cricket, golf and Formula One.
Boxing, rugby union, rugby league, tennis, darts and NFL will be televised on the new Sky Sports Action and Arena channels.
There will also a new Main Event channel for the top sporting events going on.
And a new Premier League weeknight debate show will also be added, including interviews, documentaries and behind-the-scenes footage.
Sky’s new initiative is to its bolster its user base and grab viewers who don’t currently have pay-TV – or rely on Freeview, for instance – with cheap options like its Now TV set-top box.
At the moment viewers fork out up to £49.50 for the cheapest sports package.
But the new deal allows for customers to buy individual channels from £18. Viewers can choose to buy two channels for £22 and three for £26.
Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports said: “We’re dedicating channels to some of our biggest sports, launching a new way to watch the best live action and offering even better digital products too.
“Sky Sports is giving customers even more choice and channels at the same price for another 12 months, while opening up new ways for sports fans to join. If you love Premier League, you can enjoy it for as little as 60p a day or you can have the full Sky Sports package for less than £1.”
Sources indicate that Sky’s Now TV internet service broke the company’s monthly sports subscription model by offering sports channels on a pay-as-you-go basis for the first time.
Now TV sports day passes have proved popular for fans looking to dip in for one-off big events (£7).
But a one-off monthly pass at £34 remains a big outlay for those reluctant to sign up for traditional pay-TV packages.
Gidon Katz, Director of Now TV said: “We’re delighted to be adding the all new Sky Sports channels to NOW TV, even more sporting action on the same flexible and affordable passes.”
