EPL likely to scrap PPV claims new report

The English Premier League is likely to scrap its controversial pay-per-view (PPV) model after this weekend’s round of fixtures, claims the PA news agency.

The league introduced the measure at the beginning of October, charging viewers £14.95 per match to watch games which were not scheduled for broadcast. It was however met poorly by fans, with buying figures described as ‘exceptionally low’ and supporters groups urging potential buyers to instead donate to local charities.

With the UK now back in lockdown, the PA says that the EPL is likely to revert to the model that was implemented with ‘project restart’ when all matches were shown on one of the league’s broadcast rights holders.

The decision is yet to be made however, and discussions will take place between the league and its broadcast partners. The agency notes that any change would take place from the round of matches on November 21 and that there would be a further review in mid-January – at which point the UK hopes to be out of lockdown.

Elsewhere, The Guardian has reported that FA chairman Greg Clarke supported the scrapped Project Big Picture plans that were proposed by Manchester United and Liverpool. The plan, which ended up being voted against by all 20 clubs, would have given significantly more power to the ‘top six’ and allowed the league’s biggest teams greater control over – and a greater share of – broadcast rights.