Sky Sports shows 49 of 50 most watched Premier League matches
May 18, 2015
In an exact repeat of last season’s ratings success, Sky has shown the most viewed matches from the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League. All 20 teams are featured in the 49 matches screened, underlining the importance to viewers of Sky Sports’ coverage of clubs at both ends of the table.
Sky Sports viewers can still enjoy eight live matches over the final two rounds of the season, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and newly crowned champions Chelsea all live this weekend.
The football ratings announcement comes on the eve of another huge summer of sport for Sky Sports viewers with a schedule that includes The Ashes, Major golf, every Formula One Grand Prix weekend, England’s IRB World Cup warm-up matches and the return of another huge season of live football.
Sky Sports Managing Director Barney Francis said: “We’ve offered 49 of the top 50 matches two seasons running now, showing that Sky Sports continues to be the home of the matches that matter. Football fans should expect more of the same from Sky Sports next season and of course, more matches and an even stronger selection of picks from 2016/17.
Francis added: “Before then, it’s another huge summer of sport across our seven channels with an unrivalled choice of the biggest events including The Ashes, Major golf and every Formula One® Grand Prix weekend live.”
Global football icon Thierry Henry, who joined Sky Sports’ football coverage in January, commented: “This is why I chose Sky Sports. I wanted to work on the best matches and this season has been an incredible experience. I can’t wait for more of the same when we’re back in August.”
As well as offering 49 of the 50 most popular live Premier League matches this season, record numbers viewed Sky Sports on mobile devices this season. Sky Go has seen a five percent year on year increase in viewing peaks from Barclays Premier League matches. Sky Sports On Demand Football content also saw huge 152 per cent increase in downloads.
This season Thierry Henry joined the roster of experts who provide their views and analysis of live Premier League football, joining Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jamie Redknapp and Graeme Souness who continue to engage and entertain viewers every week.
Sky Sports will offer at least four more seasons of the Premier League, including three times as many live matches as any other broadcaster, the most-watched slots in the schedule and the best match picks from the 2016/17 season.
In February, Sky Sports secured exclusive rights to the Premier League from 2016-17 to 2018-19, winning five of the packages available and increasing the number of games to 126 per season. This ensured that Sky Sports will continue to be the home of the Barclays Premier League for at least another four years.
Next season, Sky Sports viewers can also enjoy even more live Football League coverage, with 148 live games from the Sky Bet Football League, Capital One Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.