THE Premier League returned with a bang on August 13th with broadcasters BT Sport and Sky debuting new show formats and presenters, which they claim will make this season the best yet in terms of coverage.
Sky Sports launched its coverage in Hull where Leicester City kicked-off their title defence. The opening game marked the first of 20 televised fixtures scheduled by the broadcaster that will feature every club in the league by the end of September.
A new addition for the 2016/17 season, Sky Sports will debut its new ‘Friday Night Football’ show tomorrow (August 19) with Manchester United v Southampton – the broadcaster reckons the new time-slot “gives pub-goers the perfect way to start their weekend”.
The broadcaster will also show the first Old Firm league clash for four years exclusively live on September 10.
BT Sport also unveiled its new Saturday TV line-up over the weekend which includes a new football results show, BT Sport Score.
Hosted by Mark Pougatch, the results show features a string of new BT Sport pundits, including former England international Jermaine Jenas and former Leeds United and Liverpool player Harry Kewell.
The 2016/17 season will see BT Sport broadcast more games, with live coverage again hosted by Jake Humphrey.
Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said football fans “can look forward to a topical feast of football on Saturday on BT Sport with exciting new shows alongside fantastic exclusively live action”.
“This season we will show more Premier League games than ever before at the new kick-off time of 5.30pm,” said Green.
Sky Sports and BT Sport announced increases in subscription prices over the summer ahead of the new season. Both broadcasters claim the increase reflects the larger number of fixtures now available.
