Mansfield Benefit From C5 & ITV Deal

The Football League has announced a groundbreaking deal that will see the highlights of Football League matches screened in a prime time Saturday evening spot.

From the beginning of next season Channel 5 have agreed a three-year deal that will see them role out the free to air package of highlights in a new 90-minute show that is expected to air at 9pm every week. Those highlights will include match footage and every goal scored from the games in the Championship, League 1 and League 2.

Channel 5 have also secured the broadcasting of highlights from the Capital One Cup and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Shaun Harvey, the FL’s chief executive said of the deal:

‘This is an exceptional opportunity for The Football League to work with a broadcaster that will schedule our matches in a prime time slot. It will take our games to a wider, younger audience by giving us the chance to be first in front of fans on a Saturday night.’

David Lynn, President of Channel 5’s parent company, Viacom International Media Networks UK said:

‘We are extremely happy to be welcoming back top quality football to such a prominent slot on Channel 5. The Football League is one of the toughest and most attractive club competitions in world football and we’re convinced this highlights package will prove highly popular with a mainstream audience at the heart of our Saturday evening schedule.’

Match footage itself from grounds will be delivered by new production partner ITN Productions.

The deal with ITN Productions is also a three year agreement and they will provide the coverage of games from the Championship, League 1, League 2, Capital One Cup and Johnstone`s Paint Trophy matches – the deal will now see them edit and put together packages for use from a total of 1,813 games per season across Football League and Premier League grounds.

ITN Productions will also produce digital clips and highlights content of Football League competitions for use by domestic broadcasters (Sky Sports & Channel 5), international broadcasters (through Pitch International) and clubs (through their online Player service), as well as clips of Premier League matches for top flight clubs that are part of the League’s FLi network of club websites.

Managing Director of ITN Productions, Mark Browning said.

‘This is a transformative moment for ITN Productions and ITN. We are already a key player in UK sports production and now every goal in the Sky Bet Football League, Capital One Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy will be produced by ITN Productions. This is the result of our continued investment in production excellence and fast-turnaround publishing capability along with a world class team.’

Therefore in short, fans will no longer be required to often stay up until gone midnight to see Football League action in the future – which can’t be a bad thing if people are like me and seriously need their beauty sleep!