The Premier League is set to “move away” from its much-maligned pay-per-view scheme – as confirmed by the league’s Chief Executive Richard Masters.
Premier League Pay-Per-View System Had Received Fierce Criticism
Masters Told MPs That New Process Would Come Into Place During Current Lockdown, Lasting Until January 2021
Masters was speaking to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee . He told MPs that the Premier League had taken on feedback regarding the pay-per-view scheme:
“We took a decision to move to pay-per-view and now we are reviewing that decision.
“We have listened to feedback, we will be changing direction and moving away from it and taking another step that will see us through lockdown, the Christmas period and into January. I can’t announce what it is.”
Change to Scheme Will Come as Welcome News to Many
In its current form, the scheme allows Premier League games to be shown on both Sky and BT. That is despite those matches not being originally scheduled for live broadcast.
However, fans are also charged £14.95 to watch the games. Many feel this is extortionate, especially as the final games of the 2019/20 season were shown for free.
The introduction of the fee at a time of economic uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic, has resulted in a backlash from fans.
Some fans have chosen to donate the fee to foodbanks and charities, instead of paying to watch their team play.
Key figures within the game have also criticised the scheme. Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who is now a pundit for Sky Sports, branded it a “really bad move”.
This is a really bad move by the @premierleague to charge £14.95 for single matches that have been shown free for 6 months !
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) October 9, 2020
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley also called for a change to the scheme – despite his club voting for its introduction.
Ashley said that while there was no “realistic or viable alternative”, the fee of £14.95 is too high and should be lowered.
He also suggested the removal of VAT from the cost, and for some of the revenue generated by the scheme to be given to the English Football League.
Masters is yet to reveal what the new plan will be.
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