Accrington Stanley

Latest EFL TV selections revealed by Sky Sports for January and February

Sky Sports has announced more EFL TV selections to be shown live in ahead of the final day across the three tiers this weekend.

The 2022/23 season is coming to an end up with plenty to play for still, the schedule is set to get busier than ever as we enter the closing stages.

This latest batch of matches picked for broadcast are from the Championship with League One and League Two also picked.

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Sheffield Wednesday v Derby County
Sun 7 May 2023 12:00 (UK)
Sky Bet League One

Barnsley v Peterborough United
Sun 7 May 2023 12:00 (UK)
Sky Bet League One

Tranmere Rovers v Northampton Town
Mon 8 May 2023 12:30 (UK)
Sky Bet League Two

Stockport County v Hartlepool United
Mon 8 May 2023 12:30 (UK)
Sky Bet League Two

Millwall v Blackburn Rovers
Mon 8 May 2023 15:00 (UK)
Sky Bet Championship

Joining Millwall v Blackburn for broadcast will potentially Huddersfield v Reading, the latter no doubt depending on Huddersfield’s result against Sheffield United on Thursday as the Terriers need just one point to secure safety. Should they do that on Thursday, the second choice Sky go for will be based on the battle for playoffs.

EFL DATES FOR TV SELECTIONS

Remainder of August Selections for 13 August to 31 August by 8 July
Selections for 03 September to 17 September by 29 July
Selections for 01 October to 22 October by 26 August.
Selections for 29 October to 12 November by 23 September.
Selections for 19 November to 03 December by 14 October.
Selections for 10 December to 01 January by 04 November.
Selections for 14 January to 04 February by 03 December.
Selections for 11 February to 25 February by 06 January.
Selections for 04 March by 03 February.
Selections for 11 March to 15 March by 10 February.
Selections for 18 March by 17 February.
Selections for 26 March (Int Break) by 24 February.
Selections for 01 April by 03 March.
Selections for 07 April to 10 April (Easter) by 10 March.
Selections for 15 April by 17 March.
Selections for 22 April by 24 March.
Selections for 29 April by 07 April.
Selections for 06 May by 01 May.

Meanwhile, the EFL confirms its stance on a potential scrapping of the 3pm television blackout rule.

Clubs in the English Football League are to have their say about potentially scrapping the 3pm television blackout rule this summer.

The rule, which was brought into force back in the 1960s, bans live football from being shown on TV between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on a Saturday. However with people’s viewing habits changing and the pandemic seeing blackout rules temporarily axed, it raises talk of Saturday 3pm games being made available to broadcast.

However, contrary to various reports, the EFL aren’t said to be actively promoting this outcome but do insist that member clubs who want change can talk about it during this summer’s AGM which takes place in June.

When football returned after the Covid break in June 2020, all EFL games were broadcast over the iFollow streaming service with fans unable to attend matches. This included those taking place at 3pm on Saturdays.

That rule remained for all of the 2020-21 campaign, which took place almost entirely behind closed doors and allowed one source of much-needed income for many clubs, though it would have been considerably less than normal gate receipts.The temporary rule was got rid of for the start of the current season, with no restrictions on attendances inside stadiums and this meant lower amount of games streamed over iFollow, instead showing them during midweek but only if they weren’t already on Sky Sports. Speaking in October 2021, the EFL’s chair Rick Parry refused to rule out the prospect of the law being scrapped.He said: “I don’t see (an end to the blackout) as being essential. Having said that, I don’t necessarily rule it out. We are almost unique in Europe now in having a blackout period. I’m not presuming that it goes, but equally, if we’re looking at streaming, at new technologies and new broadcasters, we will probably have to be open-minded in terms of scheduling.”Any plans to scrap the rule would need to be passed by UEFA. Of what we know already, the decision to keep or axe the Tv blackout is a mixed one. Bradford City CEO Ryan Sparks told i news that he was in favour of the 3pm blackout being axed.He said: “I know there’s people asking: ‘Will away fans still come?’ It’s a fear for League One or League Two clubs but they are two different markets. People who want to go to away games will still go to away games – the numbers don’t change when we have midweek games that are on iFollow. What you do get is a not inconsiderable extra revenue stream from those who wouldn’t go to the game but buy an iFollow pass. It is about opening up that new revenue stream.”In contrast, The Football Supporters Association chairman Malcolm Clarke said earlier this season that he saw “no reason” to change the current broadcasting rules.Another reason to raise discussion is the EFL’s existing TV deal with Sky Sports, who this season will show a total of 228 live games, is due to end in 2024 and ITV had won a two-year deal to show highlights of the competition, starting from the new season.SEE MORE: EFL plan to end 3pm Saturday blackout and make available live games on streaming giants

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Latest EFL TV selections revealed by Sky Sports for January and February

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