Football on TV: The Evolution of UK Broadcasting and Viewing Habits in 2025
Introduction: Why Football on TV Matters More Than Ever
Football on television remains a cornerstone of British entertainment and culture, with millions tuning in every week to watch their favourite teams compete. In 2025, the landscape of football broadcasting is undergoing significant transformation, as the Premier League has agreed a new record £6.7bn UK TV rights deal with Sky Sports and TNT Sports to broadcast up to 270 live games a season. This historic agreement reflects the enduring appeal of live football and its critical role in attracting subscribers to both traditional broadcasters and emerging streaming platforms.
The importance of football on TV extends beyond mere entertainment. For broadcasters, Premier League rights remain the crown jewel of subscription portfolios, driving customer acquisition and retention in an increasingly competitive market. For fans, the accessibility of matches across multiple platforms means more opportunities than ever to follow their teams, though it also raises questions about affordability and subscription fatigue.
The New Broadcasting Landscape
The new deal will come into play from the 2025-26 season and will cover four years, with all matches outside the Saturday 3.00pm blackout broadcast live for the first time. This represents a watershed moment in UK football broadcasting, as Sky Sports secured the lead broadcaster position with at least 267 live matches per season shown across Sky and TNT Sports.
Sky won four of the five packages to show a minimum of 215 matches a season, and will be the home of Saturday 5.30pm kick-offs, Sunday 2.00pm and 4.30pm kick-offs, plus Monday and Friday night fixtures and three midweek rounds. Meanwhile, TNT will show at least 52 matches a season, including all 12.30pm kick-offs and two midweek rounds.
The Streaming Revolution
While traditional broadcasters maintain their dominance, streaming is rapidly changing how fans consume football. Overall, 27% of sports fans still watch games on TV each week, while 23% stream them online, showing that online viewership is quickly catching up to traditional TV. This shift is particularly pronounced among younger audiences, as only 19% of fans aged 18-34 report watching an entire game at home, and over half of Gen Z prefer consuming sports content on their phones while on the go.
The trend towards digital consumption reflects broader changes in viewing habits. Streaming services are now capturing nearly 20% of all global sports rights spending in 2025, with major platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Peacock aggressively bidding for exclusive content. This competition is fundamentally altering how football is distributed and monetised.
Conclusion: The Future of Football on TV
The evolution of football on television represents both opportunity and challenge for the sport’s stakeholders. For broadcasters, the record-breaking deals reflect football’s unique ability to attract live audiences in an era of on-demand entertainment. Domestic football TV coverage will be at saturation level next season, with potentially 1,300 matches broadcast involving English professional teams alone.
For fans, the proliferation of platforms offers unprecedented access but also raises concerns about cost and convenience. As choosing the right sports package in 2025 is more challenging than ever, with broadcasting rights shifted and new streaming platforms like discovery+, Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video each holding different parts of the football calendar.
Looking ahead, the convergence of traditional broadcasting and streaming technologies will continue to reshape how we experience football on TV. The challenge for the industry will be maintaining accessibility and affordability while maximising the commercial potential of this beloved national pastime. Whether through Sky Sports, TNT Sports, or emerging digital platforms, football on TV will remain an essential part of British life for years to come.