Huge changes have been revealed as to what we’ll see and experience in televised matches starting with a League One game this weekend.
Over the years, you may have noticed different innovations and features whilst tuning into games on television.
Some allowed you choose whether or not to have crowd noise (mainly due to the Covid pandemic), but some other options have remained in play since.
Sky Sports however are trialling something that could be just the start to how differently things will be on on screens. Below, the statement reveals what we might be seeing, and could go on to see going forward if it proves popular with fans…
EFL STATEMENT:
Wycombe Wanderers’ Sky Bet League One clash against Portsmouth on Sunday 4 December will take place live on Sky Sports with enhanced coverage available throughout the broadcast, in a fixture billed by Sky Sports as the first-ever ‘EFL Innovation Game’.
The fixture, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, will give supporters more behind-the-scenes access than ever before, with on-pitch audio, dressing room footage, exclusive interviews and club personnel on co-commentary duties, alongside a closer look at the role of the match officials, both in the lead up to, and on the matchday.
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth and Portsmouth counterpart Danny Cowley will also be on-hand to join the Sky Sports team at half-time and during the second half to reflect on the game, and to give a unique insight into a manager’s thoughts mid-match.
With the EFL taking centre stage domestically during the World Cup, the fixture represents an opportunity for the League to offer a unique approach to coverage, providing supporters with rare access to the full matchday experience.
EFL Chief Commercial Officer, Ben Wright said: “Audience habits and the appetite for how we consume content is changing. This fixture provided an ideal opportunity to expand and enhance EFL coverage and in doing so explore broadcasting opportunities for what may be possible in the future.”
Gary Hughes, Director of Football, Sky Sports said: “Innovation has always been at the heart of everything Sky Sports does. We’re constantly looking at ways to improve our coverage and bring our viewers closer to the action. Sunday’s game will do just that as we go behind the scenes to give fans even more access and insight.”
Wycombe Wanderers manager, Gareth Ainsworth said: “I think it’s a brilliant initiative and we’re thrilled that Wycombe Wanderers have been invited to take part in what is a pioneering and potentially game-changing way for football fans to enjoy a live broadcast.
“It will help showcase both clubs to a much wider audience, and it’ll be a fantastic advert for the EFL and League One football, particularly while there’s lots of attention on events out in Qatar.”
Portsmouth Chief Executive, Andrew Cullen said: “Portsmouth Football Club are delighted to be selected and involved in this innovative broadcast. We look forward to providing fans with a closer look at what occurs on a matchday, as well as working in partnership with the EFL to develop new forms of content for broadcasters, supporters and viewers.”
You can watch all the action from the first-ever ‘EFL Innovation Game’ between Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth, live on Sky Sports Football from 11:30am on Sunday 4 December.
This is what fans said to huge changes revealed over what we’ll see in televised matches starting with a League One game this weekend…
@UTFRGAWA: Not for me
@Bazzinho9: Hate that
@adamhankers: The game’s gone mad.
@andrewastewart: “Once again, for the 56th time in the game, we apologise for any offensive language you may have heard”
@Hells_Bells1982: Very mid 1990s rugby league challenge cup final, with the dressing room footage.
@Pompeyalbie: If they use World Cup timekeeping we can see final whistle at breakfast time on Monday
@fazforhadAhmed: Sounds good.
@DawnRoberts1: Maybe they can Mike up the ref so we can hear all his awful decision making with his officials 🤷♀️
@Ruffy_Roy: Players might need to be careful what they say 👀
@hraarmstrong: It’s enhanced because there’ll be twenty minutes of injury time
@BRL__7: Fuck sky sports
@GasmanCOTN: ‘Enhanced’ coverage aside, Sky live coverage of L1 & L2 is nothing more a contractual obligation. £30K to the home club will barely offset the drop in attendance (+ spend per head) compared to a Saturday 3pm KO. Portsmouth still had tickets available for Wycombe at time of tweet
@RussWWFC: Nosey and intrusive drivel from what I’ve heard about it, cursing Sky for moving the game.
@steve_corrigan: This is gonna be game changing for English football if done correctly!
@CJon3s: We are huge
@BlueArmyAlex: Sounds gimmicky asf
@Willmott3Sam:
What happened to people privacy? What if people are getting changed in the dressing room and your just showing it on camera?
On pitch audio ✅
Mid Match interviews seem pointless. Your taking people away from doing there jobs.
Seems like were aiming for NFL type coverage
@philhayman2: Oh Ffs 🤦🏻♂️ really!!!!! Games gone.
@RobVaughan18: Absolutely stupid idea to be fair
@SjMaskell: It’s almost as if the game isn’t enough entertainment on its own terms! 🤔 …
@Nineteen862: Stuff like this just takes away so much for me. Mid match interviews ? Piece by piece football being pulled apart for the arm chair viewer
@JHancock46: Very high chance of Nicky Cowley telling a reporter to fuck off and leave them alone
@LeroiJackson16: Mid-march interviews? Games gone.
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