Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

I have read today that Sky are planning on ending freezed payments on 19th June for Sky sports, so would imagine VM will follow suit. Looking like Premier League starting on that date or shortly after.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/footb...league-return/

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

I understand them doing so, but I would have thought they would have waited for a firm date for Premier League starting.

In fact it isn't even 100% that PL will restart at all as yet.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

Confirmed as starting 17th June
https://www.skysports.com/football/n...rns-on-june-17

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

Yes just read that - 2 games to equal all teams then full fixture list 19-21 June.

So assuming no problems in testing in the next 3 weeks we are on and so are the charges.

I suspect Sky had insider info on this.

Are BT also resuming charges on 19th June?

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

It's not really 'insider info' in a dodgy sense though - Sky are by far the largest customer, and in turn by value the EPL is their largest supplier. Of course they'll be having conversations.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

I agree, I wasn't suggesting it was dodgy.

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Apologies - took it in the other sense.

However Sky/BT are likely the driving force behind the league resuming - that's the money that makes empty stadiums viable unlike in smaller leagues like Netherlands/Scotland etc. where it's financially beneficial to just call the season - allow players to leave at the end of the season and work out where/when to start next season.

Not really one for here but not worth me starting a new thread I think Scotland should explore summer football. The reason given has, to date, always been that clubs couldn't survive May-February with no income. For the lower leagues they may not have a choice!

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Why? Cricket isn't coming back till July? Not everyone is interested in the Premiership. ;)

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

Cricket isn't starting until August now.

Agreed not everyone is invite rested in EPL - but most people are, a fact of life.

If you are not, I suggest you cancel your sports sub until the things you want to watch resume.

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First test is due to start now on 8 July. It is the domestic season that is delayed until August.

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Yes, I have seen that now they have clarified 'domestic' to be anything below international rather than any cricket in UK.

Good news for my mum who will be glued to the coverage.

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They should be making at least one of those Test Matches free to air, as they are doing with some football. Particularly as people can't attend.

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On that we agree Mr K.

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Not sure that will happen as all international cricket is contracted to sky, they may release one match to free to air possibly on Pick TV - but I wouldn't expect it.

With football it is the matches that wouldn't have been on sky/BT that are being shown free to air or in other words a bonus.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

The football is being made free as no-one can attend. The same may apply to cricket if that is behind closed doors.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

You are totally missing the point.

It is only matches not scheduled to be televised by Sky/BT that are being shown free to air - yes this is only being done to placate supporters who are not able to attend.

Their are NO international cricket matches which are not shown on Sky so I seriously doubt they will allow wall to wall coverage on free to air TV even if a channel was to devout the hours required to show it (which after all was why BBC stopped coverage alongside the fact they wouldn't pay the going rate)

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

The is a precedent, the WC final Sky had the rights to last year, but it ended up on free to air as England were involved. Sky would have to give the ok, but they might be pressured to by the ECB who were desperate for some free to air cricket this year,but can't now the proposed 100 ball is cancelled. Might also work in Sky's favour as a loss leader advert for further coverage. The fly in ointment will be the Windies who prob. won't compete much as they've been forced to take a 50% pay cut !

---------- Post added at 12:21 ---------- Previous post was at 12:20 ----------

We agree most of the time really Den ;)

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

I'm sure sky would want a rebate if this were to happen, would ECB want that in the current financial climate?

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I'm seriously considering my whole Virgin package, which is due for renewal in the next few weeks, I'm a really keen football fan, but, if the games are going to be played behind closed doors in the new season then I won't be taking the football package, the games are nothing without fans in the stadiums, they are an absolute bore fest!

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

Your choice entirely. I've been watching the Bundesliga on BT Sports - agree the experience is not so good.

But is this because:-

1 the football is not as good (I wouldn't normally watch it)
2 most of the players are total unknowns to me
3 lack of crowd

Or a mixture of all 3 - I am not sure, just thankful to have some sport to watch

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1/ l disagree as its been pretty competive given the circomstances.
2/ That is not surprising.:D
3/ Not much one can do there as the other tops leagues will be no different.

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The games are like training exercises to me, the lack of atmosphere from the crowd noise totally ruins the game IMO, players need the noisy crowds to egg them on, they thrive on the backing that they get from the fans, football without fans is nothing IMO.

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I quite agree, however until a vaccine appears or the virus disappears, I do not think crowds will be allowed.

This could be January or later - so it's football without crowds for the forseeable or no football which risks dozens of clubs ceasing to exist.

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One can only hope. The socialism that preserved town/community football, and the 3pm blackout, must be eradicated. The sooner the better.

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Some us that follow non-league are quite at home with the atmosphere of these games. There's usually a lot more swearing, blood and ref abuse though. Much more entertaining and cheaper ! ;)

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I'm really not looking forward to rugby coming back behind closed doors, from what I've seen of the German football it's just devoid of atmosphere.

It's no great surprise that English football, being as much of a business as it is, is itching to come back.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

It's all going to be behind closed doors for the foreseeable future.

At least until there is a vaccine or number of new cases is down to a very low number.

Even when crowds are allowed they may be severely reduced

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Indeed so one better get used to it as in my view if one thinks it is not worth having the subscription without the atmosphere then my advice would be to cancel their subscription.

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And the players are playing because they want to play and not because they are being paid a fortune per appearance - or even non-appearance.

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Indeed so - I'm following developments with rugby's autumn internationals very closely. I had my eye on the All Blacks game at Twickenham, but the Kiwis have already said they're not touring now. Cowards :)

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Hardly cowardly to avoid one of the countries with the worst infection and death rates.
NZ fought off covid 19 unlike this country

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I suspect the comment was tongue in cheek, but you're absolutely correct.

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My sister got her Sky bill today and confirmed the Sport payment is being put back on from 18th June.

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Indeed so..

It's beginning to look very much like this year's autumn series will be a North vs North, and South vs South setup.

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There are a number of 2020 6 nations ties to reschedule so they should take precedence anyway.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

👍 The 2020 6 nations should have priority for sure.