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Liverpool currently hold the title of Premier League champions.
Members of Parliament are poised to potentially vote on a proposal mandating that a minimum of 10 Premier League matches per season be broadcast on free-to-air television.
The Liberal Democrats have introduced an amendment to the Football Governance Bill, which is currently progressing through parliamentary channels.
This legislation aims to establish a regulatory body, independent of both governmental influence and sports authorities, to provide oversight for the top five tiers of men’s football in England.
The proposed amendment stipulates that the regulator would be responsible for ensuring that select Premier League fixtures, along with the League Cup Final and the Championship, League One, and League Two play-off finals, are accessible via free-to-air television.
The Liberal Democrats have expressed confidence that a vote on this proposal will be granted.
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Last year, the party pledged to enhance public access to major sporting events by increasing the availability of events without the need for subscription TV packages. They have indicated a preference for an approach similar to that adopted in Spain, where La Liga is required to offer one free-to-air match per week following a legal amendment in 2022.
Max Wilkinson MP, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport, stated: “I am urging MPs from all parties to support our amendment to dismantle the paywall and make Premier League games available on free-to-air channels.”
“For too long, the crown jewel of British football has been restricted by an expensive barrier, excluding fans while enriching broadcasters.”
“This must end now – with a free-to-air revolution that returns the Premier League to the nation.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport commented: “The government currently has no plans to revise the listed events regime.”
The Premier League has declined to issue a statement.
The legislation has now reached the report stage in the House of Commons.
A comparable amendment was previously tabled during the committee stage last month.
At that time, Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock noted: “The listed events regime has safeguarded key moments such as the FA Cup Final, while enabling the Premier League, EFL, and FA to generate billions of pounds annually, which is then reinvested back into the football pyramid.”
“We are all in favor of increasing the number of matches televised free-to-air, but this must be balanced against that investment and avoid jeopardizing it… It would be inappropriate for the regulator to intervene in commercial decisions between the relevant broadcasters and rights holders.”
The Liberal Democrats assert that analysis of subscription prices reveals that fans will need to pay £660 per year to watch every available Premier League game live next season.
Last month, it was reported that Premier League television viewership figures on Sky Sports, the primary live rights holder, had decreased by 10% last season, while TNT Sports experienced a 17% reduction in its year-on-year figures.
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