Godwin ObajeExplained: What the New Premier League TV Deal Means for Sunderland Fans in 2025/26
Sunderland supporters will have more opportunities than ever to watch their team live on television next season, as the new Premier League broadcast deal comes into effect for the 2025/26 campaign.
The fixtures for the new top-flight season will be released at 9am on Wednesday, with Sunderland returning to the Premier League after their thrilling play-off victory over Sheffield United last month. And with that return comes a significant shift in how fans can follow the action from home.
More games, fewer platforms
The headline change from the new broadcast agreement is simple: more live games, but on fewer platforms.
From this season, every Premier League match played outside the protected 3pm Saturday kick-off will be televised live in the UK. Sky Sports has emerged as the primary rights holder, significantly expanding its coverage from 128 matches per season to at least 215. TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) remains the only other broadcaster with live rights, while Amazon Prime Video has exited the scene entirely.
The financial terms of the deal have only increased by around four percent compared to the previous cycle, but its impact remains huge. Just being in the Premier League brings a windfall worth upwards of £200 million — a figure that includes central revenue distribution and potential parachute payments in the event of relegation. For Sunderland, whose play-off triumph secured their top-tier status, that result at Wembley could prove transformational.
Who shows what, and when?
TNT Sports will retain the Saturday 12:30pm kick-off slot and has secured exclusive rights to show all fixtures in the fourth and fifth midweek rounds of the season. Each club is guaranteed one appearance in these slots, with a maximum of six.
Sky Sports, meanwhile, dominates the rest of the schedule. Alongside their long-standing 4:30pm Sunday ‘Super Sunday’ fixture, they will show games on Friday nights, Monday nights, and Saturday evenings (5:30pm). For the first time, Sky will also broadcast multiple live games simultaneously at 2pm on select Sundays. Additionally, they hold rights to three full midweek matchdays, though it is unclear whether they will opt for staggered or simultaneous broadcasts.
Other key points include the return of Boxing Day fixtures to Sky Sports, and the broadcaster will also air all ten games on the final day of the season, live and in parallel.
What does this mean for fixture changes?
While the Championship’s most recent deal with Sky brought improved advance notice of televised games, the Premier League remains less predictable. Although top-flight officials have pledged to announce schedule changes five to six weeks in advance, that hasn’t always been the case in practice.
So, Sunderland fans can expect more late changes to kick-off times, especially with significantly more Sunday fixtures and fewer Saturday 3pm matches in the calendar.
What about Match of the Day?
The BBC will continue to provide highlights of all 380 matches via Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2, following its extended deal with the Premier League. The long-running programmes will remain available on BBC TV and iPlayer, albeit with a shake-up in presenting duties.
With Gary Lineker stepping back from his long-held hosting role, coverage will now be fronted by a rotation of Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan.
As Sunderland prepares for life back among the elite, the new broadcast structure ensures their journey will be more visible than ever — both for fans at home and a broader national audience.
Godwin Obaje
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