The BBC has agreed a deal to show Premier League TV highlights for a further three years.
The renewed deal, which according to reports cost the BBC £211.5m compared to £204m when it was last agreed in 2015, will see the Beeb remain the home of free-to-air football until 2021/22.
Last season, the BBC’s Premier League football programming was watched by 37m people and there were a further 40m requests on BBC iPlayer.
As well as Match of the Day, the new deal covers the weekend programming of the Sunday morning Match of the Day repeat, MOTD2, Football Focus, plus midweek magazine show The Premier League Show.
Barbara Slater, Director BBC Sport, said: “To keep Premier League highlights on the BBC is testament to the continued success and popularity of Match of the Day. Our longstanding partnership with the Premier League continues to flourish and evolve as seen with the recently launched Super Movers initiative. The new deal strengthens that relationship even further and ensures the nation’s favourite sport will continue to be seen by the widest possible audience.”
Charlotte Moore, Director BBC Content, added: “To secure the Premier League highlights for another three years is fantastic news for football fans all over the UK and ensures the BBC remains the free to air home with the iconic Match of the Day at the heart of all the action.”
